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High season in Southwest Florida keeps local restaurants packed. Those whoÂve been away all summer celebrate reunions with friends they havenÂt seen in months. The check arrives at the end of a big meal for a large party. The host eyes it, sticker-shocked over the sum thatÂs been spent, and then tips what he thinks is fair. But diners often unwittingly tip their server far less than they think theyÂre tipping. A half-dozen servers, who work in small cafs, sports bars and mid-tohigh-end restaurants from Port Charlotte to Venice, were interviewed for this story. Most asked not to be identified, basically to preserve their jobs, but they had a lot to say about their realities. While unnamed workers arenÂt quoted, their information helped with background. By SUE WADESUN CORRESPONDENT The Tipping $cene TIPPING | 4 The Trump administration proposal to give bar and restaurant owners more control over workersÂ tips has been denounced by critics as a plan to legalize wage theft. Many say they say theyÂre opposed to a rule that would allow restaurant owners to pocket tips for themselves. Nearly 400,000 have commented on the Labor DepartmentÂs web site. When a diner leaves a tip, the server doesnÂt always get to keep all of it. Many restaurants require tipped workers to share their gratuities with bartenders and bussers.Labor Dept. plan could let the boss pocket the tipBy KYLE ARNOLDORLANDO SENTINEL LABOR | 5 TNS PHOTO The U.S. Department of Labor is oating a proposed rule change to rescind portions of a 2011 Obama-era rule mandating tipped workers get to keep their tips. ThereÂs a high risk of Â“re in Charlotte County this week, according to ofÂ“cials from the National Weather Service and the Florida Forest Service. A red Â”ag warning was issued for critical Â“re weather conditions in coastal and inland Charlotte County between noon and 7 p.m. Monday. ÂEssentially we have those red Â”ag warnings out whenever we have extremely low humidity, dry conditions, and windy conditions to help so that when it does catch Â“re, it will rapidly move,ÂŽ said NWS Meteorologist Stephen Shiveley. MondayÂs humidity levels ranged from 28 to 30 percent. While humidity can vary widely this time of year, Shiveley said 50 to 60 percent is closer to typical conditions for Southwest Florida. Humidity levels are expected to be higher today and Wednesday, with a small chance of rain this evening and Wednesday morning, but Florida Forest Service Public Information OfÂ“cer Patrick Mahoney said heÂs concerned about stronger winds today. While Monday winds ranged from 5 to 7 mph, todayÂs were projected at 8 to 13, with gusts as high as 18 mph. ÂThere may be some rain Tuesday and Wednesday but thereÂs more drier air coming in behind it,ÂŽ Mahoney said. ÂThe thing is Florida has a 12 month burn season, so we can burn at any time. This is our most active time, because itÂs our driest time.ÂŽ So far, this year has been comparable to last year in terms of dryness and the number of Â“res, Mahoney said. As of March 1, state wildland Â“reÂ“ghters had responded to 33 wildÂ“res in the Myakka River District, which includes Charlotte, Sarasota, DeSoto, Hardee, and Manatee counties. Charlotte County had the highest number, with 20 Â“res burning 67.1 acres. Sarasota County had eight Â“res which burned just 1.5 acres. The two counties have higher numbers than the other counties due to a number of arson cases last month. Mahoney said 99 percent of the Charlotte Fire danger high this weekBy ANNE EASKERSTAFF WRITER DANGER | 5MURDOCK Â„ Charlotte is among the Â“rst in line to receive an initial payment from a huge settlement resulting from the 2010 Gulf oil spill. In 2015, a $20.8 billion agreement was reached with BP, the giant multinational company judged most responsible for the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion that claimed 11 lives and spewed 200 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. By formula, FloridaÂs share of the Spill Impact Component is $293 million, to be evenly divided among 23 counties over the next 15 years, amounting to $12.6 million each. ÂThereÂs a lot of different things this money can go toward,ÂŽ said Doug Robison, project manager for the State Expenditure Plan. ÂItÂs not just environmental restoration.ÂŽ But thatÂs exactly where Florida counties will spend most of their money, with 29 of the 69 planned projects aimed at improving water quality, or 60 percent of the SEP. However, many of these projects are conceptual or in their very earliest stages. With its sewer expansion program already in progress, Charlotte will have an advantage in accessing these funds, Robison said. ÂYour project is one of the few that is actually close to being shovel-ready. YouÂre well prepared to move forward,ÂŽ he said. To qualify for funding, projects must contribute to the overall economic and ecological recovery of the Gulf Coast. The local septic-to-sewer initiative, estimated to cost $1 billion over 30 years, is aimed at reversing water-quality impairments in Charlotte Harbor and the Myakka River. Last week, the County Commission formally endorsed the sewer program as its SEP project. The SEP must be approved by all counties by June, allowing funds to be released for project implementation.BP money flows to sewer programBy GARY ROBERTSSTAFF WRITERSEWER | 5ENGLEWOOD Â„ Holiday Travel Park residents have no idea when Florida Power & Light will replace temporary power lines strung across the fronts of their homes and on top of their driveways. TheyÂve been waiting nearly two months. FPL workers brought in temporary electrical wires after a car smashed a manufactured home in the park on Jan. 8, causing a power surge and knocking out service to several homes. Originally, they said, FPL ofÂ“cials told them new permanent lines should be installed in 28 days. But four weeks have turned into eight, and nobody has come from the power company. ÂThey keeps giving me dates, but they never show up,ÂŽ Jerry Rote said. HeÂs expecting FPL today or tomorrow Â„ according to what he was recently told. Â(FPL) needs to get out here.ÂŽ FPL could not be reached for comment Monday. Holiday Travel Park, off Flamingo Drive in Englewood, is tightly packed this time of year with mobile homes and large recreational vehicles. On the morning of Jan. 8, a Park in power limboBy STEVE REILLYSTAFF WRITERPOWER | 8 STAFF PHOTO BY STEVE REILLYHoliday Lakes residents Jerry Rote and Deborah Roeber worry about the temporary power lines Florida Power & Light stretched across the front of homes and across driveways. Residents have been waiting since January for FPL to address the problem. Pulitzer Prize winner2 0 1 6 AN EDITION OF THE SUNVOL. 126 | NO. 65AMERICAÂS BEST COMMUNITY DAILY 0 percent chance of rainHigh 80 Low 66$1.50 www.yoursun.comTodayÂs weather:www.yoursun.comFIND US ONLINE CHARLIE SAYS ...Tips are appreciated. 705252000258Daily Edition $1.50 Tuesday, March 6, 2018 NETANYAHU FINDS RESPITE WITH TRUMPPresident Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu have bonded especially closely, in part over their ego-driven style, but also over the threat from Iran and their shared disdain of President Barack Obama. See The News Wire INSIDETHE SUN: Crosswords ..............8 Local Sports ......... 10 Obituaries ...............5 Police Beat ..............8 Viewpoint ............6-7 State ......................11 OUR TOWN: Calendar ................11 Classifieds ..........6-11 Local News .....1-5, 11NEWS WIRE: Comics/Puzzles .........7-9 Nation ....................10 Stocks ...................5-6 TV Listings ................6 Weather ...................2World .....................3SPORTS: Lotto .......................2CALL US AT941-206-1000CHARLOTTE SUN

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Page 2 E/N/C www.yoursun.com The Sun / Tuesday, March 6, 2018 SUBSCRIPTIONS Home Delivery Rates: Newspaper designated market: City ZoneCarrier home delivered 7 days. Rates as follows plus 7% Florida Sales Tax: Monthly Bank/ Credit Card ....................$40.50 3 Months .....................$121.50 6 Months .....................$243.00 1 Year .........................$485.99Does not include Waterline and TV Times. Above rates do not include sales tax.Subscribers residing in outlying areas may incur additional delivery charge. Mail subscription rates: Rates as follows (advance payment required): 7 Days 3 Months 6 Months 1 Year $154.07 $276.35 $492.11 Sunday Only 3 Months 6 Months 1 Year $71.89 $144.61 $243.54Above rates do not include sales tax.Single Copy rates Daily $1.50 Sunday $3.00 Unclaimed account balances under $10, inactive for 15 months, will be used to purchase newspapers for classroom use. Sun Newspapers CUSTOMER SERVICE POLICY Delivery should be expected prior to 6:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. Sunday. Redelivery hours: 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Customer Service hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday Friday; Saturday 7a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; and Sunday 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Call Customer Service for our current specials. To subscribe or to report any problems with your service, please call or visit your local office. Charlotte: 941-206-1300 23170 Harborview Road, Port Charlotte Englewood: 941-681-3000 120 W. Dearborn St., Englewood North Port: 941-429-3000 13487 Tamiami Trail, North Port DeSoto: 863-494-0300 or toll-free at 877-818-6204 108 S. Polk Avenue, Arcadia The SUN (USPS 743170) is published daily at Sun Coast Media Group, Inc., 23170 Harborview Road, Charlotte Harbor, FL 33980-2100. Periodicals postage paid at Punta Gorda, FL. Postmaster: Please send address changes to the SUN, 23170 Harborview Road, Charlotte Harbor, Florida 33980-2100.Publisher .................................................Glen Nickerson ..............941-205-6400 Executive Editor ......................................Jim Gouvellis .................941-206-1134 Regional Director of Advertising .............Robert E. Lee .................941-206-1006 Circulation Director .................................Mark Yero ......................941-206-1300 Arcadian Editor .......................................Craig Garrett .................863-494-3925 Arcadian Publisher ..................................Joe Gallimore ................863-494-7049 Charlotte Sun Editor ................................Garry Overbey ...............941-206-1143 North Port Sun General Manager ............Mike Ruiz ......................941-564-3284 North Port Sun Editor ..............................Scott Lawson ................941-429-3002 Englewood Sun Publisher .......................Carol Y. Moore ...............941-681-3031 Englewood Sun Editor ...............................Chris Porter ...................941-681-3022 Editorial Page Editor ..................................Steve Baumann .............941-681-3003 SUN NEWSPAPERSMember of Alliance for Audited Media For vacation holds, please call Customer Service at 941-206-1300. LOCAL/REGIONAL NEWSENGLEWOOD Â„ ItÂs not bad here, but itÂs out there. State ofÂ“cials are tracking the movements of ÂpatchyÂŽ red tide algae blooms in the Gulf of Mexico that were responsible for Â“sh kills in Lee and Collier counties to the South last week. But, so far, local beaches have not reported many problems. ÂThereÂs not a sign of (red tide) at all today,ÂŽ Mark Timchula said Monday Timchula, known as the ÂBeach GuyÂŽ for his umbrella and beach chair rentals at Englewood Beach, said beachgoers on Friday, especially those who went into the water, detected traces of red tide. The weekend, like Monday, were beautiful days to be at the beach, he said. State forecasts show the algae blooms may move to the south and west, away from Charlotte and Sarasota county shorelines. The algae, Karenia brevis, occurs naturally in the Gulf of Mexico. Medium concentrations, those with 100,000 to 1 million algae cells per liter of water, can lead to respiratory irritations in humans and result in Â“sh kills. The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, which tracks the red tide blooms, reported Âbackground to medium concentrationsÂŽ in 11 water samples collected from Sarasota County, Âbackground to low concentrationsÂŽ in six samples collected from Charlotte County, on Friday. Also, respiratory irritation was reported last week in Sarasota County at Manasota, Nokomis, Venice, and Venice North Jetty beaches, and Gasparilla Island State Park South Lighthouse. The state posts red tide information at myfwc. com. The commission also updates information at www.facebook.com/ FLHABs.Gulf red tide bloom stays awayBy CHRIS PORTERENGLEWOOD EDITORPUNTA GORDA Â„ Some say the growing number of high-rises in Sarasota and Naples would be an unwelcome sight in Punta Gorda, while others maintain relaxing city code will bring a much-needed commercial boom. For close to two years, the Punta Gorda City Council has tinkered with the notion of easing regulations in its downtown City Center zoning district. The council will discuss the matter once again Wednesday, potentially, directing staff to draft an ordinance to move forward with modiÂ“cations to its city code. The meeting starts at 9 a.m. in Council Chambers. Under the proposal, the height limits would be relaxed to allow buildings ranging from one to seven stories. Currently, height limitations mandate buildings be at least two stories, but no more than 50 feet tall. Buildings taller than Â“ve stories Â„ according to staffÂs proposal Â„ would be required to follow prescribed architectural conditions to enhance the pedestrian experience, including set-backs, widened sidewalks, increased public seating and canopies to protect from rain and sun. The topic has been vetted at over 10 city and community meetings since July 2016. Last summer during a City Council meeting, the idea of extending height limits to eight stories was Â”oat ed, although, the panel felt it was too extreme. In the past, the city has granted variances for projects exceeding 50 feet. The panel OKÂd a request in late 2016 for a 103-room Marriott Springhill Suites, located at the corner of West Retta Esplande and Harborside Boulevard. Approving additional height allowances may eliminate the need for a variance review process. ÂPeople just say, ÂHigh-rise, high-rise,Â and go from one extreme to another. Springhill Suites is a prime example; they couldnÂt get to where they needed to be within our code,ÂŽ Mayor Rachel Keesling said during a council meeting July 2017. ÂAnd this isnÂt a process we should have to go through to allow additional height. ItÂs a great project for our community, not just with the construction jobs but with the long-term jobs as well,ÂŽ she added. ÂWhat if that all walked away because people showed up, wearing red shirts and we said ÂNo?ÂÂŽ In other business, council will discuss: Â€ During a public hearing, City Council is expected to pass an emergency ordinance lifting a ban of medicinal marijuana dispensing facilities. The council agreed two weeks ago to walk back on a moratorium established August 2017. Â€ The addition of speed limit signs to major roadways in Punta Gorda Isles Â„ Aqui Esta Drive, Bal Harbor Boulevard, Coronado Drive, West Olympia Avenue and Albatross Drive. Â€ Hear the Â“rst reading of an ordinance granting a non-exclusive franchise to Waste Management, the cityÂs waste collection provider. Under the proposed ordinance, Waste Management would pay Punta Gorda an annual franchise fee of 10 percent, which is based off gross revenues billed to city customers. The deal would last up to 10 years, if ultimately approved.Email: jscholles@sun-herald.comPunta Gorda Council to discuss building height changesBy JONATHAN SCHOLLESSTAFF WRITER $$ SAVEMONEY$$Shop the Classifieds Enter to win a FREE Pair of Jeans from NYDJVisit the AnthonyÂs nearest you, try on a pair, and enter to win one of these revolutionary SLIMMING JEANS!Each store will give away one pair on Wednesday & Sunday this week. 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Page 4 E/N/C www.yoursun.com The Sun / Tuesday, March 6, 2018 There was a clear conclusion: All of them have noticed that people who donÂt normally go out to eat seem oblivious to the appropriate tip for a pricey meal. And from their perspective, the minimum 15 percent tips went out in the dumpster years ago and should be higher for good service.The laws of tipping The basic rule of tips, under federal and state law, is that they belong to the tipped employee, not the employer. However, employers can, in effect, demand that staff hand over their tips. HereÂs one way: Florida law allows the employer to take whatÂs called a tip credit, which allows counting all or part of an employeeÂs tips toward the employerÂs minimum wage obligations. Although the employer doesnÂt technically ÂtakeÂŽ the employeeÂs tips, the employer gets to count some tips as if they were paid directly to the employee. The Florida state minimum wage is $8.25 an hour, but different wage rules apply to the restaurant worldÂs tipped workers, including not only servers but also hosts, bussers, bartenders and food runners. According to State Department of Economic Opportunity representative Hans Dettling, from CareerSource Southwest Florida, ÂIf employees do not get tips, the employer has to pay ($8.25). But if they are tipped, Florida law allows the employer to take a so-called tip credit of $3.02 an hour in order to pay a lower cash wage than standard Florida minimum.ÂŽ In other words, many tipped employees in Florida receive a wage of just over $5 per hour, for a total minimum compensation of $8.25 per hour (including tips). For instance, if a server receives no tips during one hour of his or her shift, the employer is legally obligated to make up the difference, ensuring that the workerÂs wage for that hour is at least $8.25. For some employers, making up the difference isnÂt an issue, because they pay more than the minimum. For example, River City Grill and Italia owner Doug Amaral said, ÂEverybody who works for me is worth more than minimum wage.ÂŽ In practice, things often work out differently. Many restaurants count on the tip credit and pay only $5.23 per hour. And thereÂs Âtipping outÂŽ to consider.Wages and tipping out In most restaurants, itÂs standard for a server to tip out bartenders, bussers and food runners. For example, if you have a $100 check, an establishment may require that the server give anywhere from $2 (2 percent) to $25 (25 percent) to the house, to tip out auxiliary staff, regardless of what you leave for the server. If you leave no tip, the server has paid out of pocket for the privilege of waiting on you. Under federal law, Âtipping outÂŽ to other employees who customarily receive tips (such as bussers and bartenders, but NOT cooks or dishwashers), is not only allowed but common. And most diners donÂt know about it Â„ unless theyÂve waited tables themselves, like longtime Port Charlotte server Rebecca Lynn Weider. ÂSome people tip the server more if they know their tip is split,ÂŽ Weider said. ÂIÂve taught my husband to tip more depending on where we go.ÂŽ Despite receiving their own tips, bartenders normally share in the tipout because they also prepare drinks for servers. The commonly understood rationale is that bartenders are doing some of serversÂ work for them. River City GrillÂs relatively high tipout formula of 15 percent to the busser, 5 to the bartender and 5 to the expediter is balanced by higher tabs and overall wages which, Amaral says, are more than restaurant minimum. In a tipping-out situation, tips are no longer the property of the employee and can be claimed by the employer, to be pooled. Still, an employee canÂt be required to pay into the pool more than whatÂs Âcustomary and reasonableÂŽ and must be able to keep at least minimum wage. But, at the end of the night, many establishments take money from servers, who then receive their tips in cash, after the tipout, with no real idea how it has been divvied up.Automatic gratuities and credit card charges Restaurants and private country clubs sometimes collect a mandatory 18 or 20 percent service charge from customers or from parties of certain sizes. Many diners assume that the establishment was kind enough to do the tipping math for them and accept it without question. But a mandatory charge isnÂt necessarily ownersÂ goodhearted way of making sure their servers receive fair tips. According to the Fair Labor Standards Act, neither a service charge nor an automatic gratuity is a voluntary tip. The employer can legally pocket it, leaving the server with no additional gratuity. One New Jersey restaurant that did so on a busy New YearÂs Eve had several servers quit when they learned they were receiving no tips for that evening. Whether this sort of thing happens in practice is entirely up to the house. Still another gray area involves tips added to credit card charges. According to Dettling, the State Department of Economic Opportunity representative: ÂState rules differ as to whether employees are entitled to the full amount of a tip left by credit card. Florida law doesnÂt address the issue of credit card processing fees. If the employer has to pay the credit card company a processing fee, some states allow the employer to subtract a proportionate amount of the tip to cover the employeeÂs ÂshareÂ of the fee. For example, if the credit card company charges a 3 percent fee, the employer could legally reduce the employeeÂs tip by 3 percent as well.ÂŽWhat do servers actually make? Between tipping out, the risk of employersÂ unfairly pocketing tips, and potential credit card fees, itÂs a wonder servers manage to survive at all. In fact, the line between making a living and falling into poverty is especially slim for servers. According to the Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyÂs 2017 Living Wage Calculator, a living wage in Charlotte County was $10.58 for a single adult, $23.05 for an adult with a child, and $28.16 for an adult with two children. For a server making restaurant minimum wage of $5.08, all that stands between poverty and making a living is tips. Suzie Marie Smith of Port Charlotte, who was a server for 13 years, said, ÂPicking up that check after each service was always nerve wracking, especially when I had children and a family to support.ÂŽ Most single service workers canÂt afford to live by themselves in a rental. Many must share housing with coworkers.Should restaurants just skip the tip? Within the last few years, a movement to eliminate tipping made the rounds of urban restaurants. It maintained that tipping was unfair to untipped employees, such as dishwashers and cooks. It aimed to level the playing Â“eld and end restaurantsÂ inconsistent payment practices. Restaurateurs like San FranciscoÂs Thad Vogler, Danny MeyerÂs Union Square Hospitality Group in New York City, even the JoeÂs Crab Shack chain, announced that they were ditching tips, raised prices by about 20 percent, gave kitchen staff a raise, and adopted a straight wage for the front of the house. The non-gratuity movement didnÂt last. Kitchen staff were pleased enough. But, despite getting a guaranteed wage, wait staff began jumping ship in favor of restaurants that allowed tipping. Customers resisted perceived skyrocketing prices. Within months, New York restaurateurs including David Chang and Tom Colicchio dropped non-tipping systems. Colicchio told the New York Times, ÂWeÂve heard from our customers and team that they just arenÂt ready for it yet.ÂŽ River City Grill owner Doug Amaral would agree. ÂNo tipping means you have no incentive to give good service. And prices would go up if we had no tipping.ÂŽ Local servers agreed that theyÂd rather take their chances on getting a decent tip.TIPPINGFROM PAGE 1 EMILY POST INSTITUTE ON TIPSHereÂs what the instituteÂs Lizzie Post, the great-greatgranddaughter of famous etiquette expert Emily Post, has to say: Q: What about bad service? A: ÂIf you had horrendous service and it was the service providerÂs fault, some people might go as low as 10percent. But we suggest that you leave 15percent and then immediately speak to a manager to express your dissatisfaction. Say that youÂre unhappy with how you were treated and that youÂre reluctant to return after such an experience. That will speak volumes to a manager.ÂŽ Q: Whom should we never tip? A: ÂNever tip your doctor. We tip waiters and waitresses because they donÂt make a livable wage. Our tips are helping to subsidize substandard wages. Try to avoid tipping those who arenÂt in the service industry Â„ doctors, dentists, therapists. You also donÂt tip your dry cleaner.ÂŽ Q: What about the driver of the airport car rental shuttle? A: ÂYes. Especially if the driver helps me with my bags, IÂll leave a dollar or two (typically a dollar per bag). ItÂs also nice to tip if the driver has held the shuttle for you. Similar rules apply to drivers of airport parking lot shuttles.ÂŽ Â„ Source: smartertravel.com WHY IS THERE TIPPING?Unlike the United States, Australia is among many countries where servers receive an appropriate livable minimum wage from restaurant owners as is done with every other industry there, instead of subjecting customers to pay part of their workerÂs salary through tips. And even nations where tips have begun occurring due to the influence of U.S. travelersÂ habits, itÂs mostly no more than 5percent if not 10percent for extraordinary service because employees are usually properly compensated by their bosses. Other places where tips are not customary include Japan, Denmark, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Algeria, Senegal and Oman. Â„ Source: smartertravel.com, Clique Brands, Conde Nast TOP OCCUPATIONS IN REGIONPunta Gorda metro area that includes Charlotte Occupation Workers Employment per 1,000 jobs Median hourly wage Mean hourly wage Annual mean wage 1. Sales and Related Occupations 7,440 165.997 $11.28 $14.92 $31,040 2. Office and Administrative Support 7,040 156.879 $14.10 $15.36 $31,960 3. Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 6,120 136.396 $9.55 $11.40 $23,720 North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metro area Occupation Workers Employment per 1,000 jobs Median hourly wage Mean hourly wage Annual mean wage 1. Office and Administrative Support 48,060 169.987 $14.94 $16.18 $33,650 2. Sales and Related Occupations 39,000 137.961 $12.29 $17.50 $36,410 3. Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 34,330 121.431 $10.65 $12.68 $26,380 Â„ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2016 TOTAL WAITERS AND WAITRESSES IN REGIONCounty Workers Employment per 1,000 jobs Median hourly wage Mean hourly wage Annual mean wage Punta Gorda metro area that includes Charlotte 1,500 33.499 $9.73 $12.56 $26,120 North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metro area 8,980 31.754 $12.20 $14.14 $29,420 Â„ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2016 HIGHESTPAYING STATES FOR WAITERS AND WAITRESSESState Workers Employment per thousand jobs Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage Hawaii 16,110 25.49 $17.84 $37,100 Vermont 5,400 17.71 $15.27 $31,770 Alaska 4,260 13.17 $15.01 $31,230 Washington 48,380 15.77 $14.97 $31,140 District of Columbia 8,720 12.41 $14.89 $30,970 Â„ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2016 HIGHEST NUMBER OF WAITERS AND WAITRESSESState Workers Employment per thousand jobs Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage California 280,100 17.54 $14.88 $30,940 Texas 219,680 18.70 $11.18 $23,250 Florida 217,790 26.49 $12.91 $26,860 New York 155,540 17.10 $14.41 $29,980 Pennsylvania 98,780 17.19 $10.62 $22,090 Â„ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2016 HIGHEST CONCENTRATION OF WAITERS AND WAITRESSESState WorkersEmployment per thousand jobs Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage Nevada 39,450 31.04 $12.26 $25,510 Florida 217,790 26.49 $12.91 $26,860 Hawaii 16,110 25.49 $17.84 $37,100 Rhode Island 10,220 21.51 $11.47 $23,850 Colorado 52,540 20.95 $11.05 $22,990 Â„ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics SUN PHOTO BY SUE WADEA winning smile and gracious service are keys to a good tip, but diners might dene a good tip dierently. FROM PAGE ONE

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The Sun /Tuesday, March 6, 2018 www.yoursun.com E/N/C Page 5 For the last seven years, federal regulators have drawn the line at restaurants taking those tips and redistributing them to other employees such as cooks, dishwashers or the managers themselves. The Trump administration plan would setup rules in which restaurant managers could mandate who gets tips and how much. Under the proposal, employers could use workersÂ tips for essentially any purpose, as long as the workers were directly paid at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. ÂI think itÂs another example of corporate greed gone wrong,ÂŽ says Julie Holmes, a former waitress. ÂIt basically makes people feel as though they canÂt earn a living. Women especially. Single mothers and people who are really out here working as hard as they can to try to provide are affected by this.ÂŽ The inspector general is also investigating reports that TrumpÂs Labor Department tried to hush up an internal analysis that found the proposed rule could cost tipped workers billions of dollars a year. Some worry restaurant owners will take away cash from tipped workers rather than raise wages for other workers. ÂWe estimate that nearly $6 billion will be taken from workers and pocketed by employers,ÂŽ said Heidi Shierholz, a former Labor Department chief economist who now works at the Economic Policy Institute. With the regionÂs sizable restaurant industry, it could impact more than 10,000 Charlotte and Sarasota metro area servers who are first in line for tips and tens of thousands more cooks, bussers and other kitchen and frontof-house-staff. The average server brings in about $26,000 in tips and wages in Charlotte, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. ÂOne of the biggest issues in the restaurant industry is the disparity between front-of-thehouse and back-of-thehouse pay,ÂŽ said Chris Muller, a hospitality professor at Boston University. ÂRestaurants are struggling with the rising pay for cooks while a lot of servers are taking home $20 to $40 an hour.ÂŽ The Labor DepartmentÂs plan has been supported by the National Restaurant Association, which has sued over the current rule several times, including a recent case that was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Florida-based Darden Restaurants, parent of Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse, said in 2014 that servers make about $20 to $22 an hour when tips are factored in. Darden requires servers to share gratuities with workers such as bartenders and bussers, but not with kitchen staff, said spokesman Rich Jeffers. Darden leaders have not released a public position on the new tip-pooling proposal. Â[The proposed rule change] essentially takes away ownership of tips from employees and gives it to owners,ÂŽ said Teofilo Reyes, research director for Restaurant Opportunities Center United, an employee group that advocates on issues such as health care and wages. ÂThen they can use tips for capital improvements or to pay for food or for anything they want.ÂŽ Recently servers have taken on more responsibilities at restaurants in order to cut costs, such as bringing food to customers and bussing tables. This year, Colorado-based Red Robin announced it will cut bussers, a move aimed at stemming rising costs because of increasing minimum wages. It should save Red Robin $8 million a year, the company said. Since tip-pooling was restricted in 2011, restaurant employees could still share their tips with non-service workers, but it had to be organized among staffers, not by management. ÂIÂve worked at a few restaurants with different policies,ÂŽ said Carrie Cherkinsky, a former server who has worked at several restaurant chains in the last decade including RoyÂs, which has one of the highest rated eateries in nearby Bonita Springs, according to TripAdvisor. ÂWhen I worked at RoyÂs, the servers tipped out almost 40 percent of their tips to back servers, food runners, and bartenders.ÂŽ Others say theyÂve seen their share of the work increase in recent years and donÂt see why they should share when their base pay is just over $5 an hour in Florida. Cooks and chefs at full-service restaurants usually make more than $11 an hour, Muller said. The Sun, National Public Radio and the New York Times supplemented this report.LABORFROM PAGE 1 FROM PAGE ONECHARLOTTE Nancy Jane FemriteThe family of Nancy Jane Femrite, 75, of Punta Gorda, Florida, announces with great sadness her passing on March 2, 2018, after suffering a stroke and then a brief illness. She was born in PlainÂ“eld, N.J., on September 17, 1942 to William and Rose Mercier. Nancy worked as an accountant and advanced to management before her retirement. She loved painting, jewelry making, crafts and enjoyed traveling the world with her second husband, Michael Femrite. Nancy was also an avid fan of any casino featuring slot machines and was known for her technique of Âtalking to the machines.Â Nancy will be lovingly remembered and tremendously missed by Michael, her husband of 29 years, and her children, sons, David Ferguson (wife Diane), Ronald Ferguson (wife Robin), Mark Ferguson (wife Cheryll), stepson Keith Femrite, daughters, Robin Selvaggi (husband Leonardo), and Donna Ferguson, 10 grandchildren, 3 greatgrandchildren, and her brother, Robert Mercier (wife Joanne) and her nieces and nephews. In lieu of Â”owers, please send donations in Nancy FemriteÂs name to the Animal Welfare League, 3519 Drance St., Port Charlotte, FL 33980 www. awlshelter.org Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to extend condolences to the family. Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory Punta Gorda Chapel.James J. KibelbekJames J. Kibelbek, 71, of Telford, changed his address to Heaven on Friday, March 2, 2018. James was born on April 16, 1946 in Cleveland, Ohio to Joseph and Mary Kibelbek. James graduated from LeTourneau University in 1969 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation, he went to work with the Navy as a civilian instructor in Orlando, Florida. Being called into the ministry, James graduated from Luther Rice Seminary in 1976. Serving as associate pastor at Aloma Baptist Church in Winter Park, Florida, and at Palm Springs Baptist Church in West Palm Springs, Florida. James then went to be the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of Port Charlotte in Port Charlotte, Florida, for 28 years. While in Florida, he served on the State Board of Missions and the State Nominating Committee for the Florida Baptist Convention. Within the local associations, he served in numerous roles on various committees. His service to the Lord also gave him the opportunity to preach in Brazil, Italy, Romina, and South Korea. He had a heart for mission work. Upon retirement, he moved to Tennessee, and served as Interim Pastor at Tusculum Baptist Church and the Pulpit Supply. James enjoyed golÂ“ng and Â“shing with his family and friends. Survivors include his wife, Miriam Kibelbek; two sons, Justin Kibelbek of Charlotte, North Carolina and Seth and Christy Kibelbek; four grandchildren, Avery Kibelbek, Luke Kibelbek, Riley Kibelbek, and Mia Kibelbek. Funeral services for Mr. Kibelbek will be 7 p.m. Monday, March 5, 2018 at Tusculum Baptist Church. Dr. David Smith will be ofÂ“ciating. Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at Oak Grove Cemetery. Everyone is asked to meet at the cemetery. The Kibelbek family will receive friends from 5 p.m. Â… 7 p.m. Monday, March 5, 2018 at Tusculum Baptist Church. In lieu of Â”owers, memorial contributions may be made to Samaritans Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC or Avalon Hospice, 208 Sunset Drive, Suite 340, Johnson City, TN 37604. Doughty-Stevens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Gwendolyn P. MercerGwendolyn Phyllis Mercer, 88, longtime resident of Punta Gorda for 66 years, passed away Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. She was born Dec. 3, 1926 in Palmdale, Florida. Gwen loved the simple life of having her family and friends close by. She is survived by her two sons, Wayne and Douglas Mercer both of Punta Gorda; three grandchildren, Ashley Trent, Mason Mercer and Benjamin Mercer; and Â“ve great-grandchildren. Gwen was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, David Mercer. Memorial Service will be held at 6:30 p.m. March 9, at the First Baptist Church in Charlotte Harbor, 4506 Church St. 33980. Afterwards a reception will be held at Mercers Fresh Roasted Coffees at 4678 Tamiami Tr. Unit 109 in Charlotte Harbor. All are invited to attend in memory of Gwen.Frank Joseph Toolan Jr. Frank Joseph Toolan Jr., 75, of Punta Gorda, Florida. Passed away Feb. 21, 2018. He was born in Los Angeles, Ca. on May 10, 1942 to the late Frank Joseph Sr. and Mary Regina Toolan. Frank graduated from Savannah High School and received an associates from Santa Anna College. He was married to Shirley Twente on Feb. 14, 1980. Frank had a career in Law Enforcement for Punta Gorda Police Department and Charlotte County SherriffÂs ofÂ“ce. He was a member of the Elks 2606, Moose 2121, and the American Legion Post 103. Frank was a proud Marine, and served in Vietnam. He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Shirley Toolan; sons, Michael Toolan, Mark [Beverly] Toolan and daughter Katie (Don) Francis. Frank also leaves behind; grandchildren, Mark, Jessica, Chris, Victoria, Ashton, Dylan; two great grandchildren; brothers, Michael (Cheryl) Toolan, Dennis (Carol) Toolan and sister, Mary (Dennis) Clarke. Frank was predeceased by his parents, sons; Miles Toolan, Warren Jones, daughter; Melanie Lees, brother; John Toolan, and grandchildren; Trent and Sarah. At FrankÂs request there will be no services; he will be inurned at Sarasota National Cemetery at a later date. Condolences can be made to the family at www.kays-ponger.comENGLEWOODNo deaths were reported Monday in Englewood.NORTH PORTNo deaths were reported Monday in North Port.DESOTONo deaths were reported Monday in Desoto. OBITUARIES As a consequence, Charlotte could receive its Â“rst installment of $4.8 million by the end of the year, Robison said. And that is not all. FloridaÂs $293 million share could be leveraged with other funding sources to boost the overall value of the SEP to $500 million, he said. Charlotte also could use its funding as seed money to secure additional grants. County Commissioner Chris Constance is CharlotteÂs representative on the 23-member Florida Gulf Consortium, which developed State Expenditure Plan. Over the past three years, he said the counties have worked hard together to get to this point. ÂWeÂve always promoted what is best for the state of Florida,ÂŽ Constance said. Florida counties already have about $45 million in settlement money paid earlier by Transocean. BP contractor Transocean Ltd., which owned the Deepwater Horizon offshore drilling rig, agreed to a $1.4 billion settlement in 2013. Sarasota County was awarded $1 million of this money, while Charlotte garnered $726,453. Charlotte plans to allocate this pot of money toward the sewer expansion project, the Harborwalk gateway redevelopment, a Charlotte Harbor Â“sheries monitoring program, and development of an active bay scallop program in Charlotte Harbor. In addition, Charlotte County netted $5.88 million through a separate lawsuit settlement with BP.Email: groberts@sun-herald.comSEWERFROM PAGE 1 Â“res were arsons, as were a handful of the Sarasota cases. Last month, the Charlotte County SheriffÂs OfÂ“ce arrested Brandon Wilson as a suspect in three arson cases and named him as a person of interest in additional cases as well. On Monday, Charlotte County Fire/EMS Spokesperson Dee Hawkins-Garland said Charlotte County Â“reÂ“ghters responded to one small brush Â“re around 3:15 p.m. that was quickly put out in the woods off Claremonte Drive. Hawkins-Garland said Charlotte County Fire works closely with the Florida Forest Service and has several mutual aid contracts in place should any bigger Â“res break out. ÂWe are pretty much just keeping an eye out and responding like we always do,ÂŽ she said. For Â“re prevention, residents should be careful with any open Â”ame and any type of machinery with a spark. ÂMake sure you have a spark arrester on anything that runs on gas Â„ ATVs, chainsaws, weeders, lawnmowers,ÂŽ Mahoney said. ÂBe aware of your conditions around you, and if you see something suspicious, call it in.ÂŽ Over the weekend, a Â“re in Sarasota started when a tire blew out, and a Â“re in North Port Sunday was the result of an unattended campÂ“re, Mahoney said. Stephen Shiveley said the NWS was discouraging outdoor burning while conditions remain. ÂJust avoid outdoor burning, and if you do outdoor burning, campÂ“res or something like that, make sure the Â“re is completely put out at the end,ÂŽ he said. Residents should also be careful with cigarette butts and avoid tossing them on the ground. ÂBig Â“res have started even in California with just a cigarette butt thrown out the window,ÂŽ he said.Email: aeasker@sun-herald.com DANGERFROM PAGE 1 Memorials in the Sun Honor your passed loved ones anytime with a personalized memorial tribute. Call (941) 206-1028 for rates. SIMPLE CREMATIONPRE-ARRANGEMENT OFFER FOR $ 1495 00 EA.ROYAL PALMMEMORIAL GARDENSUrn Not Included27200 Jones Loop Rd., Punta Gorda (941) 639-2381in association with FL Pre-Planning Alliance & Fort Myers Memorial Funeral Homewww.royalpalmmemorial.comLimited Time Offer adno=50532768

PAGE 6

Page 6 E/N/C www.yoursun.com The Sun / Tuesday, March 6, 2018 OUR VIEW LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters are welcome on virtually any subject, but we do have some rules. Please keep them to less than 250 words. Letters will be edited to length as well as for grammar and spelling. All letters must be signed with full name Â„ not initials. An address and telephone number must be included. The phone number and address are not for publication, but must be provided. Due to the number of letters received, we are able to run only one letter per person per month. The Letters to the Editor section is designed as a public forum for community discourse, and the opinions and statements made in letters are solely those of the individual writers. The newspaper takes no responsibility for the content of these letters. Please send or bring correspondence to the Sun Letters to the Editor, 23170 Harborview Road, Charlotte Harbor, FL 33980. Readers may email Letters to the Editor at letters@sun-herald.com. Further questions or information, call 941-681-3003. HOW TO SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOREmail letters to letters@sun-herald.comPublisher Â„ Glen Nickerson Executive editor Â„ Jim Gouvellis Editorial page editor Â„ Stephen Baumann Commentary Editor Â„ John Hackworth V IEWPOINTNeed counselors like ÂDear AbbyÂEditor: Gun laws need to be modiÂ“ed, but the real problem is the breakdown of the family. Arming teachers or paying police to parade around a school hall is a waste of time and money. I canÂt think of a more boring or useless job. We need to Â“ll in the gap of many households that have lost family values. We need to spend the money on counselors, not expensive psychologists, but ÂDear AbbyÂŽ type people who will listen to studentsÂ problems and concerns and give them common sense advice. They should encourage them that achieving in school is the best way to get out of the hole. They should also encourage them to go to a house of worship of their choice. They will Â“nd help there if they ask for it and hopefully some spiritual guidance. The clergy will even come for a home visit and talk to their parents. LetÂs do things in a positive way and teach love of God and country. Edwina Norton Punta GordaMagic Kingdom for Venice?Editor: Interesting article on the front page of the Sun entitled, ÂNorth Port will be BravesÂ new Magic Kingdom.ÂŽ The city of North Port in one attempt to enhance the city image, or lack of, has used taxpayersÂ money to help lure the Atlanta Braves. Unfortunately, the new stadium and related training complex are adjacent to the West Villages and we now know where their loyalties seem to lie with the recent zip code battle. The thousands of residences want to be identiÂ“ed with the city of Venice, and I believe this might also be an issue with the Atlanta Braves. This was ironically pointed out by an Atlanta fan in the ThursdayÂs Sun article. The fan said North Port should be successful with fans for a Braves and beach experience. ÂThe smaller town. The beach town Âƒ TheyÂll just go there and go to the beaches and do whatever, because itÂs actually more focused on the game.ÂŽ It does sound like he is describing Venice, doesnÂt he? And that is the issue for the city of North Port. Lewis Bucy North PortSomeone afraid of repercussionsEditor: In the March 2 paper, you printed an article on the House unanimously passing a sexual harassment bill. The punishment for public ofÂ“cials would include removal from ofÂ“ce. A very good thing. It passed the House unanimously. Your story proceeded to say that a similar Senate bill has been blocked by a single senator who refused to hear the bill in the committee he chairs. The story conveniently left out the name of the senator who blocked the bill. Why? Is he a favorite son? I canÂt believe it is lazy reporting. Someone is afraid or someone owes favors. This is an abuse of power by this senator. It should be a Â“rst page article, not buried on Page 14.Tom Wallon EnglewoodGrowth for the few, nothing for the restEditor: On Wednesday, the front page top story headline reads, ÂSunseeker Resort buying Charlotte County land.ÂŽ Sunseeker did not ÂbuyÂŽ the property. The $4.5 million property was given by the county Â„ against recommendations by the Charlotte County Committee and almost everyone else who hasnÂt drank the Kool-Aid. Again, you slant things in favor of unbridled development for the few cronies that run this town. Our misguided county again gives to the rich to beneÂ“t the rich with no regard to who they are supposed to represent. Who beneÂ“ts from this gift? Follow the money and itÂs not the 99 percent of the people who live here. Also, why havenÂt you reported that the general contractor currently building the downtown Marriot Hotel is the same contractor building the Sunseeker Resort? I think thatÂs newsworthy. The very few people that control this town do so behind a large curtain. The same curtain that you help to hold up every time you do something like this. I wonder if itÂs the same people who are bringing us their ÂimprovedÂŽ Gilcrist Park or the proposed waterfront development on land given to us by the Trabues, or the forced Bird Pass that you also supported? Thanks for constantly supporting growth for the very few and for helping to destroy what was a perfect place to live for the rest of us. Regardless, thereÂs no doubt that you purposely used your front page headline to tell a bold-faced lie. Shame on you.Dane Shearer Punta GordaAnother letter presented in fullEditor: A recent letter pointed out that the SunÂs freedom of the press supersedes a subscriberÂs freedom of speech when submitting an editorial letter. If that is indeed a fact, then how about some ÂhonestÂŽ wording at the bottom of the Viewpoint page. It presently states: ÂLetters will be edited as to length as well as for grammar and spelling. The opinions and statements made in letters are solely those of the individual writers. The newspaper takes no responsibility for the content of these letters.ÂŽ In the last paragraph of that Ârecent letterÂŽ it sounds like the writer is still a bit confused about these freedoms he wrote about. HeÂs not the only one.Joyce Robbins Port CharlotteSpecial interests fanning passions?Editor: I see that locally, the school system is sanctioning high school student Âwalk-outsÂŽ for March 14. I think this is a slippery slope that could set a precedent. Where in the school rule books are these sorts of activities allowed? Is it an excused absence? My kids ÂprotestedÂŽ frequently about going to school. Without a school approved excuse, there were consequences for skipping. I hope that this will be a teachable moment at high schools where all the aspects of this tragedy, with equal weight to all positions, will be examined. We have the opportunity to open young minds and explore issues like the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, changes in legislation, changes in governance and changes in society. We also have a golden moment to show them that things are not as black and white as they think. IÂm glad our young people are engaged in this issue. I do, however, wonder what special interests are fanning their passion. And I wonder how informed they really are.Lyman Williams EnglewoodDonÂt penalize non-gun ownersEditor: Governor ScottÂs proposal of hardening FloridaÂs schools against assault riÂ”es will cost up to $200 million. Non-gun owners should not have to pay for this. Assess a safety fee on every gun purchase (especially assault riÂ”es) and triple the school taxes paid by gun shops. The need for active shooter drills that traumatize our children and bullet prooÂ“ng schools is not caused by nongun owners. Making non-gun owners pay for an undesirable result of gun ownership is unfair. So why do our mostly conservative representatives follow the socialist concept of having non-gun owners subsidizing the social costs of gun ownership? Mandatory gun insurance coverage should be required in every homeownerÂs policy. Non-gun owners would get a discount just like the storm shutter discount. Non-gun owners did not cause gun violence so why are they being made to pay for it? The Legislature should be concerned with giving nongun owners the right to get discounts, not the right of gun owners to carry concealed weapons.Douglas Kennedy Punta GordaRide with trac, walk against itEditor: It is with sadness that I read about another pedestrian killed by a car. And no comment from the police department or the person covering the Police Beat how these tragedies could be avoided if walkers followed the rule of law and walked against trafÂ“c. Bikes go with trafÂ“c and walkers and joggers face trafÂ“c. So simple. The public needs an awareness article.Bonnie Moore EnglewoodTax use for sewer, beach a worthy ideaOUR POSITION: Early poll numbers were 50/50. The idea should remain in the mix.A recent public opinion survey in Charlotte County indicated strong support for continuation of the local option sales tax, in general, and a fair amount of backing for the use of this funding stream to offset costs of environmentally beneÂ“cial projects. Overall, we took it as a positive signal. The random telephone survey was conducted in January and February on behalf of county government by the University of Florida Research Center. In all, 434 adults participated. Eighty-Â“ve percent were homeowners; 95 percent full-time residents. Researchers Â“gured a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percent. The precise level of support isnÂt critical at this point. These numbers will act as a baseline guide as the county develops its next sales tax project list, a process that involves suggestions from local organizations and a citizen focus group. The County Commission has the Â“nal say. A referendum will be on the ballot in November 2020. Typically, it includes a grab-bag of speciÂ“c infrastructure projects Â„ libraries, community centers or road construction, for instance. This survey pushed the envelope further. The headline number was the 65 percent in support of a tax extension (1 cent of the total tax collected at the register). A six-year increment was preferred over a 10-year term. Most impressive was that a whopping 72 percent who favored using some of this money to improve water quality in Charlotte Harbor. Also included were questions about the use of sales tax money to offset homeownersÂ costs for septic-to-sewer conversion, presumably in Port Charlotte; and beach renourishment, likely on Manasota Key. The results were slightly in favor. On the sewer question, 53 percent said Âyes.ÂŽ That is more impressive in light of the fact nearly 63 percent of survey respondents said their homes already hooked were up to sewers Â„ there was no direct beneÂ“t. And considering septic-to-sewer conversion in Port Charlotte is a primary means to improved water quality in Charlotte Harbor, those numbers might rise with a concerted public education campaign. A similar number Â„ 54 percent Â„ favored using some of the sales tax money to offset homeownersÂ costs for beach renourishment. At this point, we like both ideas. It seems appropriate to lessen the impact of septic-conversion on individual property owners, in accordance with the countyÂs sewer master plan. Sewer conversion is critical to the health of the harbor. Beach renourishment on Manasota Key is also a critical infrastructure need. Charlotte County ofÂ“cials already have made a commitment of approximately $1.7 million annually from the county at large for widening and restoration of the shoreline Manasota Key, the countyÂs premier beach front. According to current plans, residents and businesses comprising a special beneÂ“ts district on the Key will be assessed individually, according to a deÂ“ned formula, for a total equal to the countyÂs contribution. Property owners have advocated for a greater overall share from the county Â„ the $2 million number has been kicked around. This is not unreasonable. Beach stabilization here is a critical need. This beach is an essential part of the countyÂs economy. WeÂd argue that funneling a portion of the tax to beach stabilization, as well as sewer conversion, is not only an appropriate use of these funds, but beneÂ“cial to the general public in a way that meets infrastructure needs. We view the 50/50 results as half full, rather than half empty.

PAGE 7

The Sun /Tuesday, March 6, 2018 www.yoursun.com E/N/C Page 7 VIEWPOINTOn Feb. 27, the Charlotte County Commission unanimously approved a Âletter of intentÂŽ to enter into a partnership with John Redman, the president of Allegiant Airlines and the CEO of the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Their vision: to turn a key site, Charlotte HarborÂs waterfront at the U.S. 41 bridges, into Sunseeker Resort. ÂIt will do for Charlotte Harbor what Disneyworld did for Orlando,ÂŽ gushed Commissioner Stephen R. Deutsch. The 25-acre plan calls for 800 condominiums and hotel rooms, 10 bars and restaurants, two marinas, a riverwalk, a pedestrian bridge over U.S. 41 and a threestory parking garage in Bayshore Park. As someone who moved to Charlotte Harbor in the late 1980s because of its colorful Âold FloridaÂŽ character, and who lived on Bayshore Road for a decade, I concede I was initially horriÂ“ed by the extent of RedmanÂs plans. It seemed to me, Sunseeker was pouring 10 gallons of development into a 1 gallon bucket, and the spillover was going to spoil my beloved waterfront park. I can fondly recall endless summer days in which my friends and I would carry our windsurÂ“ng boards across the street, before the park was established, and set sail across a windswept Charlotte Harbor. Upon our return, weÂd gather around a small bonÂ“re on the beach to drink cold beverages and tell tall tales. Those days ended after the county acquired the land for the park. Later, I took my best friend, my golden retriever Megan, for walks through Bayshore Park almost daily. It was a place where we could Â“nd tranquility, watching the sunset and socializing with other dogs and walkers. Perhaps ironically, I had a hand in establishing Bayshore Park. As a reporter for the Charlotte Sun back in the early 1990s, I wrote a story about the 1886 plat for Charlotte Harbor, which had dedicated Âpaper streetsÂŽ that went all the way to the waterÂs edge. Historians told me that was done because, back then, everyone needed access to Charlotte HarborÂs bounty. I interviewed the late local historian Lindsay Williams, who suggested the county could turn those Âpaper streetsÂŽ into mini Âpocket parks.ÂŽ However, the county could lose that opportunity if adjacent property owners maintained those rightof-ways and asserted Âadverse possessionÂŽ claims. The morning after I wrote a story about those ideas, I heard the buzz of chainsaws and Weedwhackers outside my window. I looked out and saw then-County Administrator Tom Frame himself leading a public works crew to perform the Â“rst-ever county maintenance of those Âpaper streets.ÂŽ My article ÂwokeÂŽ him up to the opportunity, he told me. As a result, the county did landscape those areas into mini-parks, and later acquired the private properties adjacent to them to establish Bayshore Park. So, where the county commissioners envision the transformation of what they call ÂblightÂŽ into a prestigious development, I see a priceless paradise that we were so fortunate to acquire being given up for a playground for the rich. However, after watching the video of the commissionÂs meeting, which I viewed twice, I have accepted that this project is bigger than myself, or even the County Commission and Redman. ItÂs going to have ramiÂ“cations not just for existing residents but also future generations to come. I must commend Commissioner Joe Tiseo for being the only commissioner, amid a withering rush to judgment, to ask questions about the deal, the details of which remain scant. Would the developer have to build his proposed seawall and riverwalk even without the county giving him four acres of park land? Would the parking garage be built to meet the developerÂs quota for spaces or for public access? Tiseo asked, ÂWould the pedestrian bridge, slated to have 90-foot-tall towers, block the Âvista of our harbor?ÂŽ He got hazy answers, at best. In fact, Chairman Ken Doughtery rushed him, saying, ÂThereÂs other people in the queue.ÂŽ Tiseo, exasperated, pointed out the commission gave itself only 30 days to approve the letter of intent and the next 30 days to approve a developerÂs agreement. ItÂs his responsibility to get questions answered before he makes a decision Âfor perpetuity,ÂŽ he said. ÂWe only have one harbor; we have to get it right,ÂŽ Tiseo said. In the end, the details wonÂt matter. ItÂs going to happen. To get it right, in my view, the county has to really step up, with a plan of its own that matches RedmanÂs in scale. HereÂs my vision: Build the parking garage on now-vacant acreage Charlotte County previously bought for overÂ”ow parking across the street from Bayshore Park. Encourage the rest of the residential district adjacent to the park to become an artist-andtourism district, as has been envisioned since the Charlotte Harbor CRA was established in 1996. Founded in the late 1880s, this community contains some of the last historic houses and oldgrowth oak trees left in Port Charlotte. That could be a draw. And now the big ones: Acquire the eightacre private residence bordering the northwest end of Bayshore Park. The county would have to negotiate the sale with the owner, who would deserve substantial compensation for preserving this property as a beautiful mini-forest with a natural beach. The beneÂ“ts to future generations, however, will be immeasurable. Consider the fact the county previously had to acquire waterfront houses to establish Bayshore Park. By all accounts, that purchase was well worth it. Also, acquire the 10-acre parcel that was formerly donated to Charlotte County by the Dotzler estate. This site has been used in the past as for sailing, canoeing and outdoor recreation. Turn them all into a naturally landscaped, waterfront park, and it would become the envy of any city in the world. During the Feb. 27 meeting, Commissioner Bill Truex virtually drooled over the boost in taxes that would be generated by the Sunseeker resort, saying it would provide Â$30 million that could be spent on schools.ÂŽ Commissioner Chris Constance suggested installing parking meters in the proposed parking garage to raise revenues. I contend those revenues should be re-invested to acquire the additional park lands. That would be a winwin for the county, the public, the developer, future visitors and the environment. IsnÂt that what a ÂpartnershipÂŽ should be all about? Greg Martin is a former Charlotte Sun staff writer who now resides in the Cleveland area, east of Punta Gorda.Think bigger for Sunseeker Resort Guest ColumnGreg Martin Senate President Joe Negron was either confused Saturday or had a temporary case of amnesia, but whatever the problem one thing was immediately clear. Negron simply forgot who really controls that chamber of the Florida Legislature and, guess what? It ainÂt him. And itÂs sure not the Republican Party. Nope. After the vote to quickly reverse a measure that would have installed modest limits on the purchase of AR-15 assault-style rifles, we were reminded again that the National Rifle Association is in charge of any public policy concerning firearms. On that issue, Negron is basically the titular head of the NRAcontrolled Senate. You can bet your last nickel he quickly figured that out after he declared an amendment to establish a two-year moratorium on the sale of those weapons had passed on a voice vote. Tweets went out announcing the news. Those who favor gun control were overjoyed. Those who embrace the no-limits version of the Second Amendment were stunned. But wait! Was Joe Negron actually going to risk the wrath of the NRA by believing his lying ears? Of course not. There is a reasonable explanation though. Perhaps he mistook the increasing volume of voices demanding sensible changes to the gun laws in this state for the drone of those who parrot the NRA mantra of more guns, more guns, more guns and more guns. Ah, the crisis was averted when Fleming Island Republican Rob Bradley jumped in with a motion to say hey, letÂs rethink that vote, OK? A bit later, the ban was defeated. Whew! That was close! This would actually be funny if the stakes werenÂt so high. Floridians will never look at guns the same after the slaughter at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. The GOP response has basically been to argue schools would be safer if teachers had guns in the classroom as a first line of defense. In the face of such poisoned logic, opponents have no hope of winning the argument for sensible limits on gun ownership. If 17 murder victims at a state high school doesnÂt convince Republicans that maybe they need to look at this issue from another angle, nothing will. The only hope opponents have for changing the rules is to change the lawmakers. The only way to do that is at the ballot box. Democrat Gwen Graham, who is running for governor was quick to pounce with a tweet promising if she wins to veto any bill that puts more guns in schools. For Democrats, the ballot box has proven to be an elusive challenge. Except for a brief period in 2010 when thenGov. Charlie Crist left the GOP to become an independent, Republicans have controlled both houses and the governorÂs mansion since 1999. With no political balance in Tallahassee, Republicans have boldly moved to approve many NRA-backed provisions to expand gun availability and the rights of users. The NRA has adamantly opposed most attempts to restrict sales and availability, even a recent proposal by Gov. Rick Scott to raise the minimum age to buy an assault-style weapon to 21 from its current 18. NRA Grand Dame Marion Hammer has called that an attack on the Second Amendment. So really, the surprise Saturday was that Joe Negron apparently forgot to check with her before declaring that amendment on assault weapons had passed. Anyway, all is back in order now in Tallahassee and the NRA-controlled Senate of the Gunshine State. The threatened outbreak of sanity has been averted. Joe Henderson has had a 45-year career in newspapers, including the last nearly 42 years at The Tampa Tribune, where he covered sports, politics and city government. The column moved on website FloridaPolitics.com.Sen. Joe Negron forgot whoÂs the boss in Florida Florida Politics.comJoe Henderson G A R A G E S A L E 1 B L O C K B N 2 1 5 I B R A K E F O R G A R A G E S A L E S GONESHOPPINGI2 SHOPSHOP LOCALLY SAVE GASMY FAVORITE STORELO CAL SHOPSHOMEREST A URANT FOR L UNCHFINE DININGGROCERIES adno=50531664 W ESTCHESTER G OLD W ESTCHESTER G OLD & D IAMONDS & D IAMONDS ÂL ET U S R OCK Y OUR W ORLD ÂŽ ÂL ET U S R OCK Y OUR W ORLD ÂŽ We buy and sell diamonds, gold, silver, coins, Rolex and vintage jewelry Port Charlotte Â€ 941-625-0666 www.gasparillaboattours.com LOCATED AT Gasparilla Marina15001 GASPARILLA RD, PLACIDA, FL833-SUN TOUR Â€ Sunset/Live Music Â€ Eco/Lunch Â€ Â€ Sandbar Trip Â€ Private Excursions Â€adno=54529561 Inside & Outside Pest Control for your Home We are Your Local Pest Control Company Call 941-492-3517 or 941-474-0937 Call for a FREE pest quote econotermite@gmail.com Â€ Since 1983Entomologist on Staffadno=54525107 MATHEWS TREE SERVICESPECIALIZES IN DANGEROUS LIMB & TREE REMOVALS941-303-3252Call for a FREE estimate Licensed & InsuredÂ€ FULL SERVICE TREE CARE Â€ QUALITY LAWN CARE Â€ STORM DAMAGE CLEAN-UP Â€ TREE & LIMB REMOVAL adno=54529263 10% OFF $300 for Seniors & Veterans A&F SHUTTLE & TRANSPORTATION WITH CLASSLLCFRANK GAILERPresident afshuttletransportationwithclass.net 941-662-6409Follow us on Google.com and Facebook PROMS, WEDDINGS, ALL PARTIES, NIGHT ON THE TOWN, AIRPORTS, CRUISE PORTS, LONG & SHORT TRIPS, MEDICAL APPT. adno=54529559 Englewood Car Wash and Detail CenterDedicated Customer Service 287 South Indiana Ave.OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEKMon-Sat 8am-5pm, Sun 8am-4pm We honor all competitor coupons.Sign Up online for extra monthly savings www.englewoodcarwash.us.com(941) 681-2167 $5.00 OFF The Crown Jewel Wash(reg.$24.95)Exp. 3/12/18 (Must present Coupon before service) ONLY $99 Complete Detail Service(reg. $129)Exp. 3/12/18 (Must present Coupon before service) adno=54528874

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Page 8 E/N/C www.yoursun.com The Sun / Tuesday, March 6, 2018 Look for a third crossword in The News Wire section. FROM PAGE ONENORTH PORT Â„ A Sarasota man was arrested after stabbing a woman in the arm, according to North Port Police Department reports. Cornelius Hicks, 63, was arrested Sunday after allegedly stabbing a woman once and causing other wounds on her arm and upper body. The victim was on the couch when she heard her dogs bark. According to reports, she went to the back door to check on them and, when she opened the door, Hicks swung a knife at her in an attempt to stab her. When the victim grabbed her phone and stated she was going to call 911, Hicks allegedly grabbed her phone and threw it on the ground. Hicks then allegedly threw her on the couch and attempted to stab the victim again. The victim was able to grab the knife from Hicks and run out the door toward her neighborÂs house. She saw Hicks leave the house with another knife, which she was also able to obtain before running across the street to another neighbor who was witnessing the altercation, according to reports. A K-9 from the Sarasota SheriffÂs OfÂ“ce was able to Â“nd Hicks in the 8100 block of Mossborger Avenue. He stated he had difÂ“culty breathing and was transported to the Sarasota Memorial Emergency Room in North Port. The victim was also taken to the emergency room for non-life threatening injuries. Her stab wound required stitches in her arm, and was also treated for the other wounds on her arm and chest area. Neighbors conÂ“rmed the victimÂs statement, saying she was fearful for her life and had blood dripping down her arm. The victim also said she had a r estraining order against Hicks. Hicks was charged with premeditated attempted murder, aggravated battery using a deadly weapon, tampering with a felony proceeding and contempt of court (original charge: violation of injunction against protection for domestic violence). He has no bond. Email: lcoffey@sun-herald.com Cops: Man stabbed North Port woman By LAUREN COFFEY STAFF WRITER HICKSThe Charlotte County SheriffÂs Office reported the following arrests: Â€ Melanie Michelle Johnson, 37, of Sarasota. Charges: leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage and violation of probation. Bond: $3,500. Â€ Cynthia Ann Dutkiewicz, 56, 2500 block of Luther Road, Punta Gorda. Charge: knowingly driving while license suspended or revoked. Bond: $2,500. Â€ Robert Matthew Henningsen, 30, 25100 block of Sandhill Blvd., Punta Gorda. Charges: two counts of failure to appear and two underlying charges. Bond: none. Â€ Richard Earl Joslin III, 45, 22000 block of Midway Blvd., Port Charlotte. Charges: nonsupport of dependents, knowingly driving while license suspended or revoked, and failure to have motor vehicle liability insurance. Bond: $6,535. Â€ Diego Rolando Tum Tojin, 24, 3100 block of Crestwood Drive, Port Charlotte. Charge: operating a motor vehicle without a valid license. Bond: $1,000. Â€ Crystal Ann Marie Wetzler, 27, 200 block of S New York Ave., Port Charlotte. Charge: petty theft 3rd subsequent offense. Bond: $10,000. Â€ Jack Theodore Regets, 58, 26400 block of Rampart Blvd., Port Charlotte. Charge: violation of probation. Bond: $950. Â€ Regina Louise Smith, 57, of Cape Coral. Charge: DUI. Bond: none. Â€ Michael Joseph Carter Jr., 41, 1000 block of Archer St., Port Charlotte. Charges: burglary of an unoccupied conveyance unarmed, petty theft 1st degree property $100 to under $300, battery on a person 65 years or older, and off bond/forfeiture/revocations. Bond: $15,000. Â€ George Dezell Dale Jr., 47, of Lemon Bay Motel, Englewood. Charges: possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. Bond: $7,500. Â€ Tricia Lee White, 30, 5200 block of Sturgis St., Englewood. Charges: disorderly intoxication, resisting an officer without violence, and battery. Bond: $6,500. The Punta Gorda Police Department reported the following arrests: Â€ Josh Adam Czarnecki, 41, 1900 block of Mark Ave., Punta Gorda. Charge: battery. Bond: $2,500. Â€ Ismael Chaga Conde, 57, 600 block of Blue Lane, Port Charlotte. Charges: leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage, driving while license suspended 3rd or subsequent offense, and false ID given to law enforcement officer. Bond: $8,500. Â€ Joseph Alexander Skillman, 43, homeless of Punta Gorda. Charge: petty theft 1st degree property $100 to under $300. Bond: $2,500. Â€ Aurora Dawn Marie Creamer, 55, 11000 block of Palmerston Ave., Punta Gorda. Charge: petty theft 2nd degree 1st offense. Bond: none (supervised release). The Sarasota County SheriffÂs Office reported the following arrests: Â€ Jason Billeaudeaux, 38, 300 block of Pine Street, Englewood. Charges: DUI resulting in injury and two counts of DUI resulting in property damage. Bond: $1,500. Â€ Tom Curry, 31, 3100 block of Venice Ave., Venice. Charges: DUI fourth or subsequent offense, driving with a suspended license third of subsequent offense, refusing to submit to a DUI test, probation violation. Bond: $45,000. Â€ Matthew Healy, 45, 1000 block of Sunrise Road, Venice. Charge: out-of-state fugitive Oldham County, Kentucky. Bond: none. Â€ Amanda Pierce, 27, 1700 block of Croton Road, Venice. Charge: child abuse without great bodily harm. Bond: $25,000. Â€ Timothy Proctor, 45, 21200 block of Coulton Ave., Port Charlotte. Charge: hold for Charlotte County. Bond: none. The North Port Police Department reported the following arrests: Â€ Preston Brown, 18, 8200 block of Mossberger Ave., North Port. Charge: battery of a victim 12 and older but under 18. Bond: $20,000. Â€ Christopher Fierros, 28, 3700 block of Island Club Dr., North Port. Charge: failure to appear Manatee County. Bond: $2,000. Â€ Deborah Rossetti, 64, 12300 block of Lackawanna LN., Port Charlotte. Charge: domestic battery. Bond: $10,000. The Venice Police Department reported the following arrest: Â€ Michael Hitchman, 25, of Ontario, Canada. Charge: disorderly intoxication in a public place. Bond: $120. The Florida Highway Patrol Venice Office reported the following arrest: Â€ Gina Morse, 23, 70 block of Medalist Road, Rotonda West. Charges: DUI, possession of 20 grams or less of marijuana, and two counts of possession or use of narcotic equipment. Bond: $11,500. Â„ Compiled by Anne Easker and Alex Herrera POLICE BEATThe information for Police Beat is gathered from police, sheriffÂs office, Florida Highway Patrol, jail and fire records. Not every arrest leads to a conviction and guilt or innocence is determined by the court system.vehicle ran into a mobile home knocking the home off its foundation, according to Englewood Area Fire Control District reports. The driver sustained serious injuries and needed to be airlifted, while a passenger was taken to Englewood Community Hospital, the report stats. The resident inside the home wasnÂt injured. The crash caused a power surge that burnt out air conditioners, televisions and other appliances in eight or more neighboring homes. Englewood Â“reÂ“ghters conducted house-to-house checks of the neighborhood. The power surge burnt out RoteÂs TV, his stove and his air conditioner. ÂI can run (air conditioning) now Â„ it cost me $3,700 Â„ but I can run air now,ÂŽ Rote said, referring to the cost of a new air conditioning unit. While she wasnÂt personally affected, Deborah Roeber was among the Â“rst residents on the scene of the accident. She recalled FPL representatives calling the Holiday Park situation Âa nightmare.ÂŽ ÂItÂs just dangerous,ÂŽ Roeber said of the power lines strung along the ground in front of her neighborsÂ homes. ÂI am going to take a closer look at the wires,ÂŽ Englewood Â“re inspector Richard Chapman said Monday. ÂItÂs not as dangerous as you think it is.ÂŽ Residents, however, should exercise caution. ÂUntil FPL can rerun that wiring, (residents) could have electrical issues,ÂŽ Chapman said. ÂWhatÂs the hold up? I donÂt know.ÂŽ Chapman is also worried about the mobile home that was struck by the vehicle. It remains as it did the day of the accident, leaning and off its foundation. He views the mobile home as an unsafe structure and intends to work with Charlotte County Code Enforcement to address the problem.Email: reilly@sun-herald.comPOWERFROM PAGE 1

PAGE 9

The Sun /Tuesday, March 6, 2018 www.yoursun.com E/N/C Page 9 To view todayÂs legal notices and more visit, www.oridapublicnotices.com To view todayÂs legal notices and more visit, www.oridapublicnotices.com 3000 NOTICES 3112 FICTITIOUS NAME 03/06/2018 3114 INVITATION TO BID SURPLUS STATE LAND #DSL-BID17-023 PID # 27-3724-000001800000 Desoto County 6.5+/acres For complete package call Jeff Gentry (850) 245-2755 http://www.dep.state.fl.us/lands /buy_bid.htm Bid Deadline = March 8, 2018 @ 12:00 pm EST Publish: February 20, 27, 2018 & March 6, 2018 145929 3530715 R equest f or Bid s: FMY Â… Multi-Use Hangar and Ramp Construction Project at Page Field Airport in Fort Myers, FL Hole Montes is requesting bids from qualified individuals or firms for the construction of a Multi-Use Hangar and Ramps at the Page Field Airport. A description of the work is as follows: Â€ Sitework, Asphalt Paving, Con crete Paving, Fencing, Under ground utilities, landscaping, irrigation, concrete & masonry, pre-engineered metal building, metal fabrication, carpentry, insulation, doors and hardware, storefront, windows, drywall, flooring, painting, fire suppression, electri cal, mechanical, plumbing Â€ Construction of Pre-Engineered metal hangar building of 25,000SF, greyshell office space of 1,560SF, fire pump enclosure of 1,000 +/-SF and approx. 6 0,000SF of asphalt paved apron and parking. Sealed Bids will be received at the office of Hole Montes, 6200 Whiskey Creek Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33919 Ph: 239-985-1200, no later than 2:00 PM on Thursday, March, 29th, 2018. Addenda may be issued during the course of bidding. All addenda must be acknowledged by b iddersÂ„failure to do so may be cause for rejection of a bid. The Construction Manager reserves the right to reject any and all bids. A NON-MANDATORY Pre-Bid M eeting will be held on Tuesday, March 13th, 2018 at 2:00 PM at the Terminal Building at the Page Field Airport; Pacific Seminar Room 2nd Floor Administration; Address is 5200 Captain Channing Page Drive Fort Myers, FL 33907. Drawings and specifications will be made available on a CD at the Hole Montes offices or may be downloaded from our online plan room at www.procoretech.com To receive instructions on how to download from website, bidders are to contact Robin Dailey at 2 39-561-4141. Hole Montes and the Lee Count y Port Authority endeavor to maxi mize participation of Woman, Mi nority-owned Business Enterprises and Disadvantaged Business En terprises in their projects. Each bidder should strive to meet or ex ceed the minimum percentage goals established. Americans with Disabilities Act Notice: Any person needing special accommodations for attendance at a public Bid opening or prebid meeting should contact Tim Parker, Project Manager, Hole Montes (239) 985-1200. Nondiscrimination Clause: Pursuant to Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, Part 21, Nondiscriminat ion in Federally Assisted Programs of the Department of Transportation-Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Restoration Action of 1987, the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992, and as said Regulations may be amended, the Contrac tor/Consultant must assure that Âno person in the United States shall on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, creed or dis ability be excluded from participa tion in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity,ÂŽ and in the selection and retention of subcontractors/subconsultants, including procurements of materials and leases of equipment. The contractor will not participate directly or indirectly in the discrimination prohibited by the Acts and the Regulations, including employment practices w hen the contract covers any act ivity, project, or program set forth in Appendix B of 49 CFR Part 21. General Civil Rights Clause: The Contractor agrees to comply with pertinent statute, Executive Or ders and such rules as are prom ulgated to ensure that no person f 3114 INVITATION TO BID s h a ll on t h e groun d s o f race, creed, color, natural origin, sex, age, or disability be excluded from participating in any activity conducted with or benefiting from Federal assistance. This provision binds the Contrac tor and subcontractors from the bid solicitation period through the completion of the contract. This provision is in addition to that re quired by Title VI of the Civil Rights A ct of 1964. Publish: 2/26/18, 3/6/18, 3/13/18 102791 3551062 R equest f or Bid s: RSW Â… Concourse Charging Stations Project at Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, FL Owen-Ames-Kimball Company is requesting bids from qualified indiv iduals or firms for installation of concourse charging stations and associated components at the Terminal Building at Southwest Florida International Airport. A description of the work is as follows: Â€ Furnish and install electrical floor receptacles Â€ Furnish and install free standing charging station units Â€ Furnish and install under seat charging station units Sealed Bids will be received at the office of Owen-Ames-Kimball Company, 11941 Fairway Lakes Drive, Ft. Myers, FL 33913 Ph: 239-561-4141, no later than 2:00 PM on Thursday, March, 22nd, 2018. Addenda may be issued during the course of bidding. All addenda must be acknowledged by biddersÂ„failure to do so may be cause for rejection of a bid. The Construction Manager reserves the right to reject any and all bids. A MANDATORY Pre-Bid Meeting will be held on Thursday, March 8th, 2018 at 2:00 PM at the Ter minal Building at the Southwest Florida International Airport Termi nal; Amelia Earhart Conference Room 3rd Floor Administration ; Address is 11000 Terminal Access Road, Fort Myers, FL 33913. Drawings and specifications will be made available on a CD at the Owen-Ames-Kimball offices or may be downloaded from our online plan room at www.procoretech.com To receive instructions on how to down load from website, bidders are to contact Robin Dailey at 239-561 4141. Owen-Ames-Kimball Company and the Lee County Port Authorit y endeavor to maximize participa tion of Woman, Minority-owned Business Enterprises and Disad vantaged Business Enterprises in their projects. Each bidder should strive to meet or exceed the mini mum percentage goals estab lished. Americans with Disabilities Act Notice: Any person needing special accommodations for attendance at a public Bid opening or prebid meeting should contact A bel Natali, Project Manager, Owen-Ames-Kimball Company (239) 561-4141 fax (239) 5611996. Nondiscrimination Clause: Pursuant to Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, Part 21, Nondiscriminat ion in Federally Assisted Programs of the Department of TransportationEffectuation of Title VI the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Restoration Action of 1987, and the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992, and as said Regulations may be amended, the Contrac tor/Consultant must assure that Âno person in the United States shall on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, creed or dis ability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity,ÂŽ and in the selection and retention of subcontractors/subconsultants, including procurements of materials and leases of equipment. The contractor will not participate directly or indirectly in the discrimination prohibited by the Acts and the Regulations, including employment practices when the contract covers any activity, project, or program set forth in Appendix B of 49 CFR Part 21. General Civil Rights Clause: The Contractor agrees to comply with pertinent statute, Executive Or ders and such rules as are prom ulgated to ensure that no person shall, on the grounds of race, creed, color, natural origin, sex, age, or disability be excluded from participating in any activity conducted with or benefiting from Federal assistance. Publish: 02/20/18, 02/27/18, 03/06/18 102791 3549528 3124 NOTICE OF HEARING RIVERWOOD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT The Board of Supervisors of the Riverwood Community Development District will hold a public hearing on March 20, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the Riverwood Activity Center, 4250 Riverwood Drive, Port Charlotte, Florida 33953, for the purpose of hearing public 3124 NOTICE OF HEARING comment regar di ng t h e i mpos i t i on of special assessments on certain property within the District in ac cordance with Chapters 170 and 190, Florida Statutes. The improvements proposed to be funded by the special assess ments include upgrades to the DistrictÂs activity center, refi nancing the acquisition of Parcels A and B (Series 2015 A & B Notes), construction of the traffic signal on SR776, and im provements to the guard house and to Willow Bend Road. The special assessments will be imposed upon every residential parcel within the District, as well as the Riverwood Golf Course, Golf Course Club House, and Golf Course Maintenance Building. Further details regarding the proposed improvements, as well as the description of each property to be assessed and the amount to be assessed to each parcel of property, may be obtained by contacting the District Manager, Bob Koncar; (954) 603-0033; Bob.Koncar@inframark.com; 5911 Country Lakes Drive, Ft. Myers, Florida 33905. RESOLUTION NO. 2018-09 A RESOLUTION OF THE RIVERW OOD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT DECLARING SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS; INDICATING THE LOCATION, NATURE AND ESTIMATED COST OF THOSE IMPROVEMENTS WHOSE COST IS TO BE DEFRAYED B Y THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS; PROV IDING THE PORTION OF THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE IMPROVEMENTS TO BE DEFRAYED BY THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS; PROVIDING THE MANNER IN W HICH SUCH SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS S HALL BE MADE; PROVIDING W HEN SUCH SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS SHALL BE MADE; DESIGNATING LANDS UPON WHICH THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS SHALL BE LEVIED; PROVIDING FOR AN A SSESSMENT PLAT; ADOPTING A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT ROLL; PROVIDING FOR PUBLI CATION OF THIS RESOLUTION; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. W HEREAS the Board of Supervis ors of the Riverwood Community Development District (the "Board") hereby determines to undertake, install, plan, establish, construct or reconstruct, enlarge or extend, equip, acquire, operate, and/or maintain the "assessable improvements" (the "Improvements") described in that Supplemental EngineerÂs Report for Community Improvements, dated February 7, 2018, prepared by CPH, Inc., attached as Exhibit "A" incorporated herein by reference and on file at the office of the Dist rict Manager located at 5911 Country Lakes Drive, Fort Myers, Florida, 33905; W HEREAS, it is in the best inter est of the Riverwood Community Development District (the "Dist rict") to pay the cost of the Improvements through the levy of special assessments pursuant to Chapters 170 and 190, Florida Statutes (the "Assessments"); and W HEREAS, the District is empowered by Chapter 190, the Uniform Community Development District A ct of 1980, Chapter 170, Supplemental and Alternative Method of Making Local Municipal Improvements, and Chapter 197, Florida Statutes, to finance, fund, plan, establish, acquire, construct or reconstruct, enlarge or extend, equip, operate, and maintain the Improvements and to impose, levy and collect the Assessments; and W HEREAS, the District hereby de termines that benefits will accrue to the properties specially bene fited by the Improvements, the amount of those benefits, and that Assessments will be made in pro portion to the benefits received as set forth in that Assessment Methodology Report, Series 2018 Bonds, dated February 7, 2018, prepared by Fishkind & Associates, Inc., attached as Exhibit "B" incorporated herein by refer ence and on file at the office of the District Manager located at 5911 Country Lakes Drive, Fort Myers, Florida, 33905; and W HEREAS, the District hereby determines that the Assessments to be levied will not exceed the special benefits to the property benefited by the Improvements. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE RIVERWOOD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT: 1. The above recitals are hereby incorporated as findings of fact of the Board. 2. Assessments shall be levied to defray the cost of Improve3124 NOTICE OF HEARING ments. 3. The nature and general loca tion of, and plans and specifica tions for, the Improvements are described in Exhibit "A", and are on file at the office of the District Manager located at 5911 Country Lakes Drive, Fort Myers, Florida, 33905. Exhibit "B" is also on file and available for public inspection a t the same location. 4. The total estimated cost (as defined in Section 190.003, Florida Statutes) of the Improvements is approximately $7,480,000 (the "Estimated Cost"). 5. The Assessments will defray approximately $8,770,000 in bonded indebtedness, which includes the Estimated Cost, capitalized interest, financing-related costs and debt service reserve. 6. The manner in which the Assessments shall be apportione d and paid is set forth in Exhibit "B", including provisions for supplemental assessment resolutions. No costs of the Improvements shall be paid from any general im provement fund of the District. 7. The Assessments shall be levied, within the District, on all lots and lands adjoining and contiguous or bounding and abutting upon such Improvements or spe cially benefited thereby and further designated by the assessment plat hereinafter provided for. 8. There is on file, at the offices of the District Manager at 5911 Country Lakes Drive, Fort Myers, Florida, 33905, an assessment plat showing the area to be assessed, with certain plans and s pecifications describing the Improvements and the Estimated Cost of the Improvements, all of which are and shall be open to inspection by the public. 9. Commencing with the year i n which the Assessments are first certified for collection, the Assessments shall be paid in not more than fifteen (15) yearly install ments. The Assessments may be payable at the same time and in the same manner as are ad-val orem taxes and collected pursuant to chapter 197, Florida Statutes; provided, however, that in the event the uniform non ad-valorem assess ment method of collecting the Assessments is not available to the District in any year, or if determined by the District to be in its best interest, the Assessments may be collected as is otherwise permitted by law. 10. The District Manager has c aused to be made a preliminary assessment roll, in accordance with the method of assessment described in Exhibit "B" hereto, which shows the lots and lands as sessed, the amount of benefit t o and the Assessment against each lot or parcel of land, and the number of annual installments into which such Assessment may be divided, which is hereby adopted and approved as the District's preliminary assessment roll. 11. The Board shall adopt a subsequent resolution to fix a time and place at which the owners o f the property to be assessed or any other persons interested therein may appear before the Board and be heard as to the propriety and advisability of the As sessments or the making of the Improvements, the cost thereof, the manner of payment therefor, or the amount thereof be assessed against each property as improved. 12. The District Manager is hereby directed to cause this resolution to be published twice (once a week for two (2) weeks) in a newspaper of general circulation published within Charlotte County and to provide mailed notices to the owners of the property subject to the proposed Assessments and such other notice as may be required by law. 13. This Resolution shall become effective upon its passage. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 13th day of February, 2018. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE RIVERWOOD COMMNIT Y DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT ATTEST: Rita Anderson Chairperson Robert Koncar Secretary There may be occasions when one or more Supervisors may part icipate by telephone. At the above location there may be present a speaker phone so that any inter ested person can attend the meet ing and be fully informed o f discussions taking place either in person or by telephone communi cation. Any person requiring special ac commodations at this meeting because of a disability or physical impairment should contact the District Office at (954) 603-0033 at least two calendar days prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Florida Relay Service at 711 who can aid you in contacting the District Office. Each person who decides to ap peal any action taken at this meet ing is advised that person will ddfhdi 3124 NOTICE OF HEARING nee d a recor d o f t h e procee di ngs and that accordingly, the person may need to ensure that a verba tim record of the proceedings i s made, including the testimony and evidence upon which such appeal is to be based. Robert Koncar District Manager Publish: 2/27/18, 03/06/18 115047 3548965 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING School Board of Charlotte County, Florida An additional policy will be discussed at a Public Hearing during the Regular Meeting of the School Board of Charlotte County, Florida, on Tuesday, April 17, 2018. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the School Board Meeting Room, 1445 Education Way, Port Charlotte, Florida. During the regular meeting, a Public Hearing will be held to discuss the following: PO1121.01, PO3121.01, PO4121.01 Criminal Background and Employment History Checks PO1128 Employment Contract PO1220 Evaluation and Health Examination of Administ rative Personnel PO1410 Administrative Salary (New Policy) PO1420, PO3420, PO4420 Benefits PO1430.01, PO3430.01, PO4430.01 Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) Military Caregiver Leave/Qualifying Exigency Leave PO1430.04, PO3430.04, PO4430.04 Personal Leave (New Policy) PO1430.06 Vacation Leave (New Policy) PO1430.07, PO3430.07, PO4430.07 Military Leave (New Policy) PO1430.09, PO3430.09, PO4430.09 Jury/Witness Duty (New Policy) PO3128 Contracts: Instructional Personnel PO3220 Evaluation and H ealth Examinations of Instructional Personnel New Title: Evaluation of Instructional Personnel PO3410 Compensation PO4410 Overtime/Compensation New Title: Compensation PO6490 Legal Services for Employees, Officers, and Public Officials (New Policy) PO6685 Public Relations and Hospitality Funds PO8475 Criminal Background Checks for Employment and Access PO8800 Religious/Patriotic C eremonies and Observances PO9211 Parent Organizations, Booster Clubs, Fundraising Act ivities DELETE PO9210 Parent Or ganizations Copies of the documents supporting the agenda items can be reviewed in the Office of the Superintendent located at 1445 Education Way, Port Charlotte, Florida. Any disabled individual w ho needs reasonable accommodation for this meeting may contact the Department of Human Resources at 255-0808, extension 3007, prior to the date of scheduled meeting. Steve Dionisio, Superintendent of Schools and Executive Secretary to the School Board of Charlotte County Publish: March 6, 2018 123300 3555828 3126 NOTICE OF MEETING NOTICE OF REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING A Regular School Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 13, 2018. The meeting will be held at 5:30 pm in the School Board Meeting Room, 1445 Education Way, Port Charlotte, Florida. T he Agenda for the Meeting is as f ollows: Call to Order Peports Recognition of Sunshine State Scholars Recognition of Community Members Public Hearing School Board Policies Instructional Materials Consent Agenda Minutes Invitation to Bid Renewal Invitations to Negotiate Payment Requests Out-ofState Travel Monthly Financial Report Controlled Property for Deletion A ction Agenda SJES Boundary Abeyance Florida Inventory of School Houses (FISH) Certification of Facilities Data Report on the Independent A udit for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2017 Personnel Action, Supplements and Job Description(s) 2018 2019 Regular, YearRound School, and Head SSC 3126 NOTICE OF MEETING S tart /E ar l y H ea d S tart C a l en d ars Personnel Action, Supplements and Job Description(s) And any items deemed appropri ate for board meeting inclusion.Copies of the documents support ing the agenda items are available for review in the Office of the Superintendent located at 1445 Education Way, Port Charlotte, Florida. Any disabled individual who needs reasonable accommo dation for this meeting may con tact the Department of Human Resources at 255-0808, exten sion 3007, prior to the date o f scheduled meeting. Steve Dionisio, Superintendent o f Schools and Executive Secretar y to the School Board of Charlotte County, Publish: March 06, 2018 123300 3555842 3134 WORKSHOPS NOTICE OF SCHOOL BOARD WORKSHOP A Regular School Board Workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, March 13, 2018. The meeting will be held at 9:30 am in Room 105/106, 1445 Education Way, Port Charlotte, Florida. The Agenda for the Workshop is as follows: Babcock High School Charte r School Application 2017-2018 Distric Strategic Plan (DSP) Mid Year Report Policies SJES Boundary Abeyance Distric Updates School Board Committee Reports A nd any items deemed appropri ate for board meeting inclusion.Copies of the documents support ing the agenda items are available for review in the Office of the Superintendent located at 1445 E ducation Way, Port Charlotte, Florida. Any disabled individual who needs reasonable accommo dation for this meeting may con tact the Department of Human Resources at 255-0808, exten sion 3007, prior to the date o f scheduled meeting. Steve Dionisio, Superintendent o f Schools and Executive Secretar y to the School Board of Charlotte County, Publish: March 06, 2018 123300 3555818 Turn Your Trash Into Cash! Advertise any Item Under $500. for FREE by Going to: www.sun-classieds. com *Limit 5 Ads Per Week Excluding Pets & Firearms 3138 OTHER NOTICES NOTICE OF POLICY DEVELOPMENT School Board of Charlotte County, Florida The following policy is scheduled for discussion at the March 13, 2018 School Board Workshop to comply with FL Statutes PO1410 Administrative Salary (New Policy) PO1430.04, PO3430.04, PO4430.04 Personal Leave (New Policy) PO1430.06Vacation Leave (New Policy) PO1430.07, PO3430.07, PO4430.07 Military Leave (Ne w Policy) PO1430.08, PO3430.08 Pro f essional Leave (New Policy) PO1430.09, PO3430.09, PO4430.09 Jury/Witness Dut y (New Policy) PO3410 Compensation PO6490 Legal Services for Employees, Officers, and Public Officials (New Policy) The School Board's legal author ity is per F.S. 120.74, which is to make changes to policies as often as necessary so policies are legally correct, as well as to make the DistrictÂs policies in formative to staff and con stituents. Any person who is affected by a proposed policy, policy revision, or the repeal of a policy, may w ithin twenty-one (21) days fol lowing notice of the proposal to adopt, revise or repeal such pol icy, file a written request with the Board for a hearing on the pro posed action.Steve Dionisio, Superintendent o f Schools and Executive Secretary to the School Board of Charlotte County Publish: March 6, 2018 123300 3555837 F i n d i t i n t h e C l a s s i f i e d s

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Page 10 E/N/C www.yoursun.com The Sun / Tuesday, March 6, 2018 LOCAL SPORTS Contact usBryan Levine Â€ Staff writer blevine@sun-herald.com or 941-206-1122 Scott Lockwood Â€ Sports editor slockwood@sun-herald.com or 941-206-1175 Vincent Portell Â€ Staff writer vportell@sun-herald.com or 941-206-1185 EMAIL: sports@sun-herald.com FAX: 941-629-2085 SunCoast Sports NowWhen news breaks, we blog it at www.suncoast sportsnow.com Like us and share our photos on Facebook: facebook.com/ SunCoastSports Follow us on Twitter for live updates and breaking news: @SunCoastSports LOCAL SPORTS SundayÂs 25th Annual Conquistador Cup Regatta featured 40 boats racing on a 8.5 mile course with adjusted staggered start times. The slowest boat started the clock at 0:00 with the fastest boat starting 40:23 behind the first boat. The race was close at the finish between the Blue Heron and Soulshine with the Blue Heron nosing ahead to cross the finish line in first place. However at the conclusion of the race a protest was filed against the Blue Heron for an equipment violation, which was later upheld by race officials of the Boat Club. The Soulshine was the official race winner giving Skipper Paul Robbins his second consecutive win in the Regatta. Learning to Fly finished second with M&M taking third place. Race results will be posted on the Punta Gorda boat club website at a later time.Sailors conquer the Conquistador Cup RegattaBy CHRIS BLAKESUN CORRESPONDENT PHOTOS BY CHRIS BLAKEThe Mystique and the Surfs Up make the turn and speed towards the nish line on the last leg of the 25th Annual Conquistador Cup Regatta race Sunday on Charlotte Harbor. Skippers and crews race towards the marker on the second leg of SundayÂs 25th Annual Conquistador Cup Regatta. Two Harbor 20 sailboats race on Sunday during the 25th Annual Conquistador Cup Regatta. The Harbor 20Âs were the smallest class of boats racing in the pursuit competition. Skipper Paul Robbins and crew aboard the 26Â Soulshine trim sails during SundayÂs 25th Annual Conquistador Cup Regatta. This was the 2nd win in a row for Robbins. Two Harbor 20Âs race to the nish line during SundayÂs 25th Annual Conquistador Cup Regatta. After a hard day of sailing, skipper and crew relax on the ride home after competing in the 25th Annual Conquistador Cup Regatta on Charlotte Harbor. Skipper Patrick Rousseau aboard the 37Â Jeanneau races to the last marker before making the turn to the nish line during SundayÂs 25th Annual Conquistador Cup Regatta. The Essence tacks during the nal leg of SundayÂs 25th Annual Conquistador Cup Regatta on Charlotte Harbor. The Essence, a 35Â Pearson sailboat, is skippered by Paul McDill. The Playmobil skipper Jay Nadelson and crew try to catch the Essence during the nal leg of the 25th Annual Conquistador Cup Regatta Sunday on Charlotte Harbor.

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The Sun /Tuesday, March 6, 2018 www.yoursun.com E/N/C Page 11 STATE NEWSDeal or no deal? House passes gambling billTALLAHASSEE (AP) Â„ The Florida House is signing off on a 20-year gambling deal between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, but itÂs unclear if the legislation will make it to Gov. Rick ScottÂs desk. The House on Monday approved a gambling bill by a 70-40 vote. But it has signiÂ“cant differences with the version now moving through the Senate. The House legislation (HB 7067) calls for the tribe to pay the state $3 billion over the next seven years. It would allow tribal casinos to keep their blackjack tables. Legislators have had trouble the last few years passing a gambling bill due to squabbles among different gambling interests. ThereÂs a renewed interest in passing a bill this year because a constitutional amendment on casinos goes before voters this fall.Case on smokable medical marijuana gets trial dateTALLAHASSEE (AP) Â„ A hearing on Florida banning smokable forms of medical marijuana will be heard by a circuit court judge in May. Leon County Judge Karen Gievers will hold a non-jury trial on May 16 to determine if the ban violates the 2016 state constitutional amendment that legalized medical marijuana. People United for Medical Marijuana, which is the committee formed by Orlando attorney John Morgan, Â“led the lawsuit last July against the stateÂs Department of Health. Morgan spearheaded the constitutional amendment, which was approved by 71 percent of voters. The state legislature banned smoking in last yearÂs bill signed by Gov. Rick Scott, saying it isnÂt healthy. The law does allow for vaping, edibles, oils, sprays or tinctures. There are eight cases against the state, ranging from smoking to how the state awards licenses for medical marijuana treatment centers.House votes for tax cuts and tax holidaysTALLAHASSEE (AP) Â„ Floridians may get a 10-day back-to-school sales tax holiday under a bill that has passed the Florida House. The House on Monday voted 75-35 for the legislation (HB 7087) that also creates three storm preparation tax holidays later this year. If the bill becomes law, Floridians would be able to buy batteries, portable radios and generators tax-free. The legislation also includes a slight decrease in the tax charged on commercial rent. Many Democrats voted against the bill because it would create a new tax credit that could be used for the stateÂs main private school voucher program. Currently, Florida offers tax credits to companies that agree to donate money to the organization that offers scholarships to lowincome families. The Senate is working on a tax cut measure, but it has signiÂ“cant differences with the House bill. | HEADLINE NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATEWith Senate Democrats deeply divided, Florida legislators voted Monday to put a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would ask voters to require a two-thirds majority of both the House and Senate before they can raise any tax or fee in the future. The measure, HJR 7001, passed the Senate 25-13 after three Democrats reversed a previous decision to oppose the measure and joined with Republicans to vote for the amendment, which is a top priority of Gov. Rick Scott. It now goes directly onto the ballot and, because it is a resolution, does not require the governorÂs signature. Sens. Lauren Book of Plantation, Bobby Powell of Palm Beach and Linda Stewart of Orlando had previously agreed to vote as a bloc with the other 12 Senate Democrats to oppose the tax restriction, but after the proposal was revised to reÂ”ect changes sought by the House, they changed course. The vote exposed the deep Â“ssures emerging in the Senate Democratic caucus, which in the last week has struggled with whether or not to support a school safety bill that allows school districts to train and arm teachers while it also directs millions in long-sought mental health funding to schools, a priority for many Democrats. The surprise vote by the Senate Democrats came just an hour after Senate Democratic Leader Oscar Braynon reminded his colleagues in a meeting of the Senate Democratic caucus that they had previously agreed to oppose the bill, which many of them argued is designed to tie the hands of future legislators when Democrats regain the majority. ÂIf somebody has changed their mind, let me know,ÂÂ Braynon asked. No one spoke up. Republicans argued the bill simply gives voters a choice. ÂThis is the peopleÂs money. ItÂs not our money,ÂŽ said Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, who sponsored the measure. ÂItÂs not hand-tying us. It just means we have to work together with a two-thirds majority Âƒ if itÂs taking the money from our people to pay for something that is crucially important, then we need a two-thirds majority.ÂŽ A previous Senate version had required a three-Â“fths majority of each chamber, a lower threshold than two-thirds, and did not include fees but applied the threshold only to taxes. But in a latesession agreement, Senate leaders to that approach. Sen. Javier Jose Rodriguez of Miami was among several Democrats who argued that the amendment was a short-sighted attempt to limit future lawmakers in raising revenue while it doesnÂt impose limits when they give out tax breaks. ÂThis legislature would be constrained from raising funds going into the future but when it comes time Â„ like this legislature does every year Â„ to carve special exemptions out of the tax base, there would not be a heightened threshold,ÂŽ he said. ÂWhat that does is make our tax code more and more and more regressive.ÂŽ Sen. Kevin Radar, a Delray Beach Democrat, called the amendment a violation of the principles of majority rule. ÂThe future legislatures shouldnÂt have their hands tied,ÂŽ he said. ÂAt the heart of the American democracy reÂ”ects an approach that the nationÂs founders rejected Â„ they rejected majority ruleÂŽ because the Articles of Confederation included a super-majority and the Founders considered that Âunworkable,ÂŽ he said. Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, suggested that the states of California, Missouri, Wisconsin and Nevada all had a requirement like this in their constitutions. ÂItÂs the peopleÂs money, not ours. ThatÂs a simple premise,ÂŽ he said. ÂNowÂs the time. TodayÂs the day to take a vote for a fundamental principle we all believe in.ÂŽLawmakers approve ballot measure to make it harder to raise taxesBy MARY ELLEN KLASTAMPA BAY TIMES PHOTO PROVIDEDMembers of the Florida Senate Democratic Caucus discussed strategy during a meeting Monday. Democratic leader Senator Oscar Braynon, DMiami Gardens, center, asked if any of them had changed their minds about voting against the proposed constitutional amendment to making it harder to raise taxes. Although no one spoke up, three senators voted with Republicans. ADNO=718743 ADNO=718747 Where Shopping Makes Cents charlottecountychamber.org adno=50531117 Chronic Back & Joint Pain? Arthritis? Trouble Walking? Recent Joint Replacement? Aquatic Therapy Can help you Freedom Rehab Aquatic Therapy 941-400-1505 3545 Massini Ave. Â€ North Port Visit our Facebook page to see the testimonials of people weÂve helped at: facebook.com/freedomrehabaquatictherapy

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Page 12 www.yoursun.com The Sun / Tuesday, March 6, 2018 LOCAL/REGIONAL NEWSThe wheels on the trikes went round and round as the preschool students at NoahÂs Ark Preschool in North Port participated in a fundraiser for St. Jude ChildrenÂs Research Hospital recently.Round and round to help out SUN PHOTOS BY MONICA AMAYALucia Ingram, 5, pedals for a good cause last month at her preschool in a fundrasier for St. Jude ChildrenÂs Research Hospital. Alvina Yatsyk, 5, concentrates while racing around the track with fellow preschoolers during the Trike-a-Thon to benet St. Jude ChildrenÂs Research Hospital. Wyatt Miller, 5, helped raise money for St JudeÂs ChildrenÂs Hospital while riding his tricycle. Ella Anderton, 4, takes o during the Trike-a-Thon. Rebekah Scott, 4, pose for the camera during FridayÂs Trike-AThon at NoahÂs Ark Preschool. Alex Simonides, 4, rides his tricycle during a recent Trike -A-Thon to benet St. JudeÂs held at NoahÂs Ark Preschool in North Port. adno=50532762

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OUR TOWN: BUSINESS NEWS INSIDE: CLASSIFIEDS TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 2018 So hereÂs my concept pitch for a new Hollywood heist movie. A handful of thieves (maybe led by George Clooney, if I can get him) use malware to stealthily hack thousands of tax preparerÂs computers during tax-Â“ling season. Undetected, they take legitimate taxpayer information and Â“le returns with the IRS before the preparer. When the returns are processed, the refunds are direct-deposited into the actual taxpayerÂs bank account. The Oscar-winning twist? The bad guys (think Matt Damon posing as working for an IRS-approved collection agency) then contact these taxpayers Â„ who donÂt know why a refundÂs been received before Â“ling their return Â„ with the bad news that the refund was fraudulently obtained and needs to be returned. Under penalty of law. Yep, right into the crooksÂ pockets. Roll credits. Write acceptance speech. Unfortunately, as you may have guessed, this isnÂt a movie concept, but a new fraud currently targeting your tax refund. I received an urgent ÂScam AlertÂŽ bulletin from the FBI describing the details of this scheme, with a warning that Âthe number of potential taxpayer victims jumped from a few hundred to several thousand in just days.ÂŽ In another version of the scam, the IRS explains a taxpayer who receives the erroneous refund gets an automated call with a recorded voice saying he is from the IRS and Âthreatens the taxpayer with criminal fraud charges, an arrest warrant and a ÂblacklistingÂ of their Social Security Number. The recorded voice gives the taxpayer a case number and a telephone number to call to return the refund.ÂŽ ÂTaxpayers receiving erroneous refunds should contact their tax preparers immediately,ÂŽ urges the IRS. Then they need to follow established procedures for returning the refund to the IRS. In addition, compromised bank accounts should be closed. The IRS is urging tax professionals to increase their security of sensitive client tax and Â“nancial Â“les. Why the new twist on tax refund fraud? ÂThieves know it is more difÂ“cult to identify and halt fraudulent tax returns when they are using real client data, such as income, dependents, credits and deductions,ÂŽ notes the IRS. ÂGenerally, criminals Â“nd alternative ways to get the fraudulent refunds delivered to themselves rather than the real taxpayers.ÂŽ Those alternative ways? Using personal identifying information Â„ including the 145 million Social Security numbers obtained by last yearÂs Equifax data breach Â„ to electronically Â“le completely bogus returns earlier in the tax Â“ling season before the IRS receives actual reported income from employers and Â“nancial institutions. Refunds legally can be routed to prepaid debit cards. ÂTax refund fraud affects hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of U.S. citizens annually,ÂŽ notes Krebsonsecurity.com. ÂVictims usually Â“rst learn of the crime after having their returns rejected because scammers beat them to it. Even those who are not required to Â“le a return can be victims of refund fraud, as can those who are not actually due a refund from the IRS.ÂŽ Placing a security freeze with credit reporting agencies wonÂt stop this type of identity theft. Since weÂre still in the midst of tax-Â“ling season, also keep your guard up for scam email and text messages. Designed to look like theyÂre coming from the IRS or a tax preparation software company, they request conÂ“rmation of personal information needed for some form or updating your e-Â“le. And readers are still contacting me about receiving threatening calls from the ÂIRS.ÂŽ Remember the IRS only makes initial contact by postal mail. It doesnÂt make phone calls. Even if ÂIRSÂŽ is displayed on a caller ID, donÂt engage these callers or return their calls. Report them to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at www.TIGTA.gov. David Morris is the SunÂs consumer advocate. Contact him c/o the Sun, 23170 Harborview Road, Charlotte Harbor, FL 33980; email dmorris@sun-herald.com; Tax refund fraud with anew twist SUN PHOTO BY KAYLA GLEASONOwner Elizabeth Quinn greets customers from the store entrance.NEW YORK Â„ ThereÂs no wood paneling or plush carpet at Culhane Meadows Â„ the law Â“rmÂs 52 attorneys practice out of their homes or rented work spaces. Culhane Meadows is one of many law Â“rms without dedicated ofÂ“ce space that now operate virtually using software, email, videoconferencing and the internet to work and connect with clients. Attorneys at virtual Â“rms say that without the trappings and overhead of a traditional practice, they can charge lower fees, work for a variety of clients and have more say over their work/life balance. Practicing virtually can also mean taking extra steps to ensure that communications of all sorts remain conÂ“dential, including working in spaces designed to protect clientsÂ privacy. Heather Clauson Haughian, a managing partner at Culhane Meadows, doesnÂt miss the works of art, mahogany and high rents of traditional Â“rms. ÂWhen you take away all those things as part of this virtual model, you can pass along that value to your clients,ÂŽ says Haughian, who works out of her home in Niceville, Florida. The hourly rates at Culhane Meadows are what a lawyer with four or Â“ve yearsÂ experience would charge at a larger Â“rm. Clients include Fortune 100 companies that donÂt want to pay ultra-high fees and much smaller businesses. Culhane Meadows, whose attorneys are based in Electronic bank statements have virtues Â„ saving trees, keeping your desk uncluttered Â„ but they also have a vice: They can be easy to forget. You could instead get paper statements delivered by mail, an option thatÂs becoming less popular as technology gets better. But Nessa Feddis, senior vice president for consumer protection and payments at the American Bankers Association, says they ÂwonÂt disappear entirely.ÂŽ Whatever form they take, these monthly records help you spot fraudulent purchases and errors and, in the case of bills, remind you of payment deadlines. HereÂs what you can expect from bank statements in the future and how to decide whether sticking with paper makes sense for you.A more digital futureBank statements played a key role when balancing a checkbook was common. You would keep track of deposits and withdrawals on paper and compare your numbers each month with your statement. One perk to using paper is being able to mark it up. The Posh Pelican is a quaint, quintessentially Florida furniture shop just off State Road 776 in Englewood. With everything from full bedroom sets to small decorative starÂ“sh, The Posh Pelican supplies customers with whatever they need to make their dream home a reality. Owner Elizabeth Quinn, alongside her husband Eric Burt, has built the shop into the thriving business it is today. Question: When did The Posh Pelican open? Answer: I opened in 1993. Q: Has anything changed since opening? A: When I Â“rst opened, I was just a little shop in the plaza. After my husband and I got married, we took over the whole plaza and extended out. Also, when I Â“rst opened we were a nearly-new store, but now we strictly sell new. Q: How many employees do you have? A: We have about six. Q: What is your best-selling item? A: Coastal furniture. ThatÂs mostly what we stock. We do coastal furniture, pictures, lamps, decorating accessories. Q: WhatÂs the hardest part of business? A: Moving furniture. My husband does most of that. When people buy furniture, we have companies weÂll outsource the moving to. Basically, we have companies that give us the dollar amount they want and then weÂll call them to see if they can do the delivery. Q: What sets you apart from similar businesses in LifeÂs a BeachSpotlight on The Posh PelicanBy JOYCE M. ROSENBERGAP BUSINESS WRITERBy SPENCER TIERNEYNERDWALLETBy KAYLA GLEASONSUN CORRESPONDENT AP PHOTOMarlene Laro, partner and COO of Potomac Law Group, poses for a portrait at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center where her rm has a workspace in Washington.AP PHOTOThis photo shows a paper bank statement on Feb. 26, in New York. Bank statements played a key role when balancing a checkbook was common. But, just as checks gave way to debit cards, paper bank statements are being replaced by electronic ones and other technology.No art or wood paneling Â„ some law firms work in the cloudDonÂt write off paper bank statements just yet BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT THE POSH PELICAN4275 S Access Rd. A Englewood, Florida 34224 941-474-0707 https://www.posh-pelican.com/ Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 10a.m.-5:30p.m., Fri.-Sat. 10a.m.-6p.m., Sunday, Closed Owner: Elizabeth Quinn READER ADVOCATE David MORRISCOLUMNISTPOSH | 3 PAPER | 3 CLOUD | 3

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Page 14 E/N/C www.yoursun.com The Sun / Tuesday, March 6, 2018 OUR TOWN BUSINESS NEWS 2The North Port Area Chamber of Commerce, along with Millennium Physician Group and Delta Hearing, will be offering a free health screening and hearing test at the Annual Business & Community Expo from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, March 10 at the George Mullen Activity Center, located at 1602 Kramer Way in North Port. This year, the chamber is partnering with the city of North PortÂs annual ÂArts on the GreenÂŽ event which will be held from 10 a.m. Â… 1 p.m. the same day on the City Green. The annual Business & Community Expo is a free event to the public and is designed to introduce local businesses to the community and allow them to showcase their products and services. The public will receive goodie bags Â“lled with promotional items provided by chamber businesses and a chance to win rafÂ”e prizes being offered by each vendor booth at the expo. Two Spring Training baseball tickets will be given away every hour as rafÂ”e prizes at the expo. A grand prize rafÂ”e for two tickets on the Key West Express will be offered. Â€ Â€ Â€ The North Port Area Chamber of Commerce will be conducting a ÂHit It Out of the Park in 2018 with the ChamberÂŽ membership drive from March 5 Â… 10. Businesses that are not members of the chamber are encouraged to join during the membership drive and let the Chamber help their business or organization grow and succeed in 2018. The chamber is offering additional incentives to businesses to join the chamber during the membership drive. These incentives include: Â€ Administrative fee waived ($25 value) Â€ Three days of advertising in the North Port Sun newspaper ($184 value) Â€ Priority listing on the chamberÂs website ($99 value) Â€ Free Â”ier in the chamberÂs monthly Communicator newsletter ($50 value) Â€ A chance to win a 30-minute interview on BillÂs Business Spotlight Show on WKDW Radio. Â€ Â€ Â€ The North Port Area Chamber of Commerce will hold the Â“rst of the 2018 monthly Lunch & Learn Workshops from 11:30-1 p.m. Thursday, March 8 in the Community Room on the second Â”oor at Sarasota Memorial Emergency Room, located at 2345 Bobcat Village Center Road in North Port. This monthÂs workshop topic is ÂUsing Email Marketing to Boost Sales.ÂŽ A recent survey found 61 percent of consumers prefer receiving offers via email as oppose to other communication methods. Email is arguably the lifeblood of modern business. Email marketing is a way to keep in touch with customers, remind them what they bought from you and why and keep them up to date on whatÂs happening with your business. Barbara Langdon, of Market Momentum, will give us tips on creating email marketing campaigns to increase sales and build strong relationships with customers. The North Port Small Business Lunch and Learn workshops are presented by the North Port Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the city of North Port and Toastmasters International of North Port. There is no cost to attend the Lunch & Learn Workshops and lunch will be provided thanks to our workshop sponsor Buffalo Wings and Rings. The workshops are open to all chamber members and to the public. Please register for the workshop in advance at www. northportareachamber. com. Â€ Â€ Â€ The North Port Area Chamber of Commerce will be holding itsÂ annual spring mixer at the Tampa Bay Rays versus Detroit Tigers spring training baseball game on Sunday, March 18 at the Charlotte Sports Complex. This event is open to all chamber members and chamber guests and will be held on the outÂ“eld Party Deck. The cost is $40 per person and includes: a ticket to the game, food buffet and drinks (includes: dogs, BBQ pulled pork, baked beans, pasta salad, chips, cookies, soda, water and beer). The game begins at 1:05 p.m. and the gates open at noon. The deadline to purchase tickets is Wednesday, March 14. Â€ Â€ Â€ The North Port Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting an After Hours Kick-Off celebration for the upcoming ÂA Night at the RacesÂŽ event. The Kick-Off celebration will be held from 5 p.m.7 p.m. Thursday. March 22 at Beef-O-BradyÂs, located at 1037 Sumter Boulevard in North Port. The cost is $20 per person and includes heavy appetizers, beverages and two beer and wine tickets. The Kick-Off celebration is an opportunity for chamber members and the public to learn about the various sponsorship and ticket opportunities associated with the event. Each person that attends the Kick-Off celebration will receive $10 in play money to be used for the ÂA Night at the RacesÂŽ event. The ÂA Night at the RacesÂŽ event will be held from 5-10 p.m. Saturday, May 12 at the George Mullen Activity Center. The Kick-Off celebration is open to all chamber members and to the public. Â€ Â€ Â€ For more information, please call the North Port Area Chamber of Commerce ofÂ“ce at 941-564-3040 or visit the website at www. northportareachamber. com.Chamber to offer free health screening at expo North Port ChamberBill Gunnin Welcome March, another busy month in Chamberland. We start with Networking at Noon on March 14 at Kings Gate Golf Club on Rampart Boulevard. Please make a reservation in the chamber store or by calling or Port Charlotte ofÂ“ce at 941-627-2222. Our Third Wednesday Coffee on March 21 will feature Lorah Steiner, director of the Punta Gorda/ Englewood Convention & Visitor Bureau. The Coffee sponsor is WFTX Fox 4-TV. A representative from the station attended the Coffee last year and asked if they could be a sponsor in the future. I love when things like that happen. Please plan to attend and invite your colleagues to mix and mingle and make some new business contacts. We meet from 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Event Center in Punta Gorda. The next evening, March 22, the Charlotte Stone Crabs will host the Business Card Exchange in the suites, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. They want to show off the great air conditioned space where you can watch a game with your team during the dog days of summer. Please bring plenty of business cards to hand out and a small gift to promote your business. Our Leadership Charlotte class will be participating in Environmental Day and in an evening Arts & Humanities gathering this month. The class is working on details for its May 4 Young at Art, A Talent Night, featuring local youth singing, dancing, and performing music, along with a silent auction of pieces of their art. Funds raised will go to arts programs in our schools. Details will follow, but please mark your calendar for what will be a fun, talent-Â“lled evening. Our Junior Leadership Charlotte class will have its last session, Government Day, were members visit the courthouse, jail, Emergency Management ofÂ“ce and more, and have lunch with local elected ofÂ“cials. The students completed their community service projects with Back Pack Kidz and Habitat for Humanity and will graduate March, 27. Thanks to the annual JLC Golf Tournament, the students can participate at no cost. So, mark your calendar for June 9 for the 10th annual event. Again, details to follow.Celebrating Ruth UzonyiFriday is a milestone for Ruth Uzonyi, our director of Â“nances, who celebrates 30 years with the chamber. Ruth is the linchpin who holds our chamber together. We are grateful that technology has made managing Â“nances more than a pencil, paper and eraser, so that Ruth can use her creativity with our social media presence, Â”yers, publications and more. Ruth can budget a line item within $2 of the year-end actual, but I know she really likes the more creative and one-to-one parts of her position. Ruth is a caring, quiet, really remarkable friend to us, wife, mom, grandmother and sister. Thanks, Ruth, for everything you do for the chamber and the community! Julie Mathis is executive director of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce. Email her at jmathis@ charlottecountychamber.org.Networking, Coffee get March off to quick start Charlotte County ChamberJulie Mathis The Charlotte County Tourist Development Council is welcoming new members David Haynes and Janet Watermeier. The two have years of proven industry experience, expertise and dedication. Responsible for overseeing the operations of the Punta Gorda/ Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau, the Tourist Development Council is comprised of nine people representing the industries that drive tourism including, lodging, dining, attractions, local government and tourism services. David Haynes, a notable lodging partner in the Charlotte County area, owns Tarpon Rental Services and runs a housing nonproÂ“t for injured veterans in his spare time. At Tarpon Rental Services, Haynes manages and rents short term vacation properties on Little Gasparilla Island, Knight Island, Don Pedro Island and the surrounding Cape Haze mainland.Two join CharlotteTourist DevelopmentCouncilProvided by PUNTA GORDA/ ENGLEWOOD BEACH VISITOR & CONVENTION BUREAUCOUNCIL | 4 adno=712462 Family Table Restaurant Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Banquet Room Available Â€ Full Bar 14132 Tamiami Tr. Â€ North Port, FL (941) 423-0473 Â€ Tues Sun 7am 9pm Cocktails, Beer & Wine Â€ Dinner Specials Daily Special Â…2 DINNERS FOR $30Â€ 2 Potato Choices Â€ 2 Veggies Â€ 2 Salads or 2 Soups Â€ 2 Cocktail Beverage (Well)or 2 House Wines or 2 DessertsMust present this ad before ordering. Not valid with any other o ers Expires March 12th, 2018Â€ NY Steak & Broiled or Fried Shrimp Â€ Broiled Seafood Platter (Grouper, Shrimp & Scallops) Â€ Lamb Shank Â€ Chicken Supreme (Sauteed Mushrooms & Onions topped w/ Mozzarella Cheese) adno=50531115 Mike Lowe, CPA, LLCTax Preparation Mike Lowe, CPA, LLCCertied Public AccountantFOR A FREE CONSULTATION & ESTIMATE14892 Tamiami Trail S. North Port, FL 34287 10% SENIOR DISCOUNTMember American Institute of CPAÂs & Florida Society of CPAÂsBest of North Port 1 Years In A Row! adno=712457 adno=712442

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The Sun /Tuesday, March 6, 2018 www.yoursun.com E/N/C Page 15 OUR TOWN BUSINESS NEWS 3 the area? A: Our staff. We have an awesome staff. Having the right people around you is always going to make a difference. Also, our product. We have top quality at a great price. We do a lot of bulk buying so we can get low pricing. WeÂll also sometimes do a scratch-and-dent price so customers can get a better deal. We also try to decorate for the customers. It helps them visualize how the furniture will look in their home. Even my husband has gotten into decorating with us. Q: Do you have any advice for new business owners? A: Open a jewelry store. ItÂs a lot easier to move a pair of earrings than it is a bedroom set. In all seriousness, it is a lot of hard work. My Â“rst years, I would just be putting any money I made back into the business to try and grow it. Have the right people helping you, work hard. Q: What does the future hold for business? A: We have thought about putting a warehouse up next to us, so you never know . We hear from customers all day long how much they love this store, so that does make us want to grow a little bit. At the same time, because weÂre so busy, we have a hard time keeping up with what we already have.POSHFROM PAGE 1 SUN PHOTOS BY KAYLA GLEASONFurniture is set up at The Posh Pelican to help customers visualize their own homes. The Posh Pelican is located on State Road 776 in Englewood. But, just as checks gave way to debit cards, paper bank statements are being replaced by electronic ones and other technology. ÂInstead of a formal document at the end of the month, itÂs a rolling, continuous spending tracker,ÂŽ Cole Kennedy, a copywriter in New York City, says of his bankÂs tracking feature. His bank also provides graphs of his spending history. Many banks have tools such as mobile alerts to help prevent fraud, and someday digital banking might affect paper statements too. ÂWeÂre not going to snap our Â“ngers and stop sending paperÂŽ to people who want it, says Rob Krugman chief digital ofÂ“cer at Broadridge, a customer communication and analytics Â“rm that delivers Â“nancial statements on behalf of thousands of brands. ÂBut thereÂs an opportunity to make the paper and the digital work together.ÂŽ For example, he says, a one-page statement could have an integrated chip in the paper, which you could scan with a smartphone to see more details online.ÂGoing paperlessÂ isnÂt for everyoneBanks have encouraged customers to opt into electronic statements, or Âgo paperless,ÂŽ for over a decade, and the push continues; a quarter of banks now charge a fee to send a paper statement, according to 2014 data from banking analytics Â“rm Novantas. About 61 percent of checking account customers only receive electronic statements, according to a 2017 survey by Javelin Strategy and Research. But some people donÂt beneÂ“t from e-statements. About a third of U.S. households donÂt have access to broadband, or high-speed, internet at home, according to a 2015 study by the Pew Research Center. Banks, by law, have to make paper statements available as an option. They canÂt assume everyone has internet access. Accessing a statement online at a library or other public place might not be as secure as accessing it through your home network. Plus, having a smartphone might not be enough. ItÂs Âvery different seeing a bank statement on a full sheet of paper (rather) than a small screen,ÂŽ says Chi Chi Wu, staff attorney at the National Consumer Law Center. Certain transactions and bill deadlines on credit card statements might get overlooked and lead to missed payments.Why some prefer paperEven people who can easily receive statements online may prefer paper for various reasons: Â€ To cut through information overload online. Emails about statements can get overlooked in a crowded inbox, and checking e-statements usually requires logging onto online or mobile banking and downloading a PDF. ÂClients who have paper statements check them at least once,ÂŽ says Dana Twight, certiÂ“ed Â“nancial planner and owner of Twight Financial in Seattle. ÂIt comes in the mail and they see it.ÂŽ In contrast, Twight adds, her clients with e-statements donÂt read them, except maybe around tax time. Â€ To keep a more permanent record. Computers crash and Â“les get lost, so storing statements digitally isnÂt foolproof. Although paper takes up space, having a copy at hand can be more reassuring than one in cyberspace. Â€ To make it easy for family to Â“nd, if necessary. If an older person can no longer manage their Â“nances, relatives might need to step in. Finding paper statements might be easier than tracking down bank website passwords.Save your statementsTax audits, lawsuits and other situations may require a bank statement. Storing paper in a safe place is intuitive, but e-statements should be saved ofÂ”ine too, either printed out or saved on your computer. Some banks keep them available online for up to seven years. Whatever the future may hold for statements Â„ paper or digital Â„ theyÂre important Â“nancial records. This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal Â“nance website NerdWallet. Email staff writer Spencer Tierney: spencer@ nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @SpencerNerd.PAPERFROM PAGE 1seven metropolitan areas, was founded in 2013 by lawyers who had worked at big traditional Â“rms or large corporations. The attorneys, some of whom are licensed in multiple states, can gather, either themselves or with clients, via videoconferencing. When they need an in-person meeting, they rent conference rooms. Law Â“rms, especially very large ones, are known for adhering to traditional ways of working and have been slow to adapt to new technology. A few Â“rms pioneered the virtual model in the past decade and the idea is gaining momentum, says Marlene Laro, chief operating ofÂ“cer at the Potomac Law Group, which is based in Washington, D.C., but has lawyers in 17 states. Soaring legal fees are one reason why. ÂThereÂs certainly a lot of interest among general counsels in major corporations to reduce their legal spending and try something different,ÂŽ Laro says. Like Culhane Meadows, the 7-year-old Potomac Law Group uses videoconferencing, email and other services to communicate, and lawyers rent ofÂ“ce space as needed. Attorneys are also interested. At big Â“rms with high overhead, there is pressure to work and bill for a minimum number of hours, making for extremely long workdays and workweeks and little personal time. At some virtual Â“rms, including Potomac, attorneys have more autonomy to set fees and their hours. ÂIt enables them to feel more comfortable with the way theyÂre practicing law,ÂŽ Laro says. She says she gets inquiries from attorneys with 20 or more years at big Â“rms who are interested in a different way of working. The idea is particularly attractive to younger lawyers who grew up with technology and who prefer simplicity over tradition. Nicole Swartz knew when she was in law school that she wanted a virtual practice. She started her Â“rm, Sprout Law, after graduating three years ago, and practices out of co-working spaces in New Orleans. She plans to expand to Los Angeles in the summer with another attorney and the same setup. SwartzÂs practice focuses on women entrepreneurs, with most of her clients age 25 to 35 and comfortable texting and emailing with their attorney, or with meeting at co-working locations. ÂI donÂt see what a traditional ofÂ“ce would bring us that we donÂt already have,ÂŽ she says. Virtual Â“rm attorneys hear few complaints from clients about their setup. For one thing, most interactions are by phone or email. And, Âclients big and small walk into fancy ofÂ“ce spaces in lavish ofÂ“ce buildings and are frustrated that the legal fees theyÂre paying are going to such lavish ofÂ“ces,ÂŽ Laro says. Still, some clients are unsure about a law Â“rm that doesnÂt, well, look like a law Â“rm. Tricia Meyer recalls one client who had reservations about her 8-year-old virtual Â“rm. ÂI canÂt just pop into your ofÂ“ce whenever I want and youÂre going to be there,ÂŽ he told her. But he ended up hiring Meyer Law, which specializes in helping technology companies with matters including contracts, patents and setting themselves up as corporations. ItÂs work that adapts easily to a virtual model. ÂIf we were in another area of the law, where we had to do depositions and meet clients in the ofÂ“ce all the time, maybe we wouldnÂt do it this way,ÂŽ Meyer says. The Â“rm has Â“ve attorneys split between Chicago and Denver, who practice out of their homes and co-working spaces.CLOUDFROM PAGE 1 In the CLASSIFIEDS! Find The Perfect Companion A dvertising S ales P eople W anted!DO YOU have a passion for helping small businesses succeed?DO YOU want to make a difference in the local business community?DO YOU like meeting people? Immediate opening We will train the right personWe O er: Â€ Great working environment Â€ Daily and weekly training Â€ Base salary plus commission on ALL sales and bonuses Â€ Recent college graduates welcomeWhat we are looking for: Â€ Outstanding work ethic Â€ Desire to learn and be successful Â€ Sincerity to help small businesses Â€ Must have a car Â€ Microsoft O ce proÂ“ cientFlorida Community Shopper Group is a full-service advertising & marketing co. in Port Charlotte Send resume to stacieg@smartshopg.comWE ARE LOOKING FOR OUR NEXT SALES SUPERSTAR, IS IT YOU?adno=57471586

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Page 16 E/N/C www.yoursun.com The Sun / Tuesday, March 6, 2018 OUR TOWN BUSINESS NEWS 4Join me tonight from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., as I yet again submit myself to torture in the name of a great cause as your bartender. IÂll be at Perch 360, the roof of the Wyvern Hotel, 101 E. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, and joined by mixologist extraordinaire Yolanda Baez, who will be featuring her signature Basil Martinis. This time around, and in order to accommodate the large expected crowd, the Punta Gorda Chamber will be pre-selling tickets at $30 per person. Given the roof's capacity, pre-registration will be required so call our ofÂ“ce today to get yourself an invite 941639-3720. Of the ticket price, $20 per person will go to the Friendship Centers of Charlotte County People Helping People. The other $10 will be your ticket for your Â“rst martini/drink. Perch 360 will also have a menu of small plates available for purchase.Short filmsTomorrow, I look forward to welcoming you all to the Event Center for the 4th Annual Punta Gorda Short Film Festival, which is unfortunately but fabulously sold out. This will inevitably be a fun evening of very comedic short Â“lms, so make sure you get on the list for 2019 so as not to miss out again, should you not have a ticket!Arts and Craft FairSaturday and Sunday of the upcoming weekend, Sullivan Street will once again be packed with visitors for the March Sullivan Street Arts and Craft Fair. The show is open to the public/ free admission and will operate 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Make Punta Gorda your destination this weekend and make sure to visit everything that Punta Gorda has to offer. Thanks to the people at the Orange House Wine Bar who help us to accommodate this event. Please make sure to thank and hug Lisa and share a Mimosa with her during the weekendÂs festivities. 2019 Wine and Jazz FestivalTickets for our 14th Annual Wine and Jazz Festival are already being snapped up in the Shop Chamber link at www. puntagordachamber.com. Hurry and join the dance for 2019. The lineup of talent is still to be announced, but the show will be sure to please. Meanwhile our girl, Mindi Abair, has now launched her brandnew festival taking place on the lawn of the Event Center in Punta Gorda on Nov. 17, where she and her band the Boneshakers will headline the soon to be annual Punta Gorda Music and Wine Festival. Tickets for this great event are already on sale in our shopping cart or by calling 941-639-3720. Come join the party. Surrounding this festival, there will be several other peripheral events that will include a special dinner with Mindi on the Friday night and a Sunday brunch to round off a great weekend of her music. Watch our site for details, as they become available. Blues, Brews, BBQAlso advance tickets for our 4th Annual Blues Brews and BBQ event April 14, 12:30 to 6 p.m. on the great lawn of the Fourpoints, are now on sale in the shop chamber link of www. puntagordachamber. com. Your $30 ticket is your entry to the festival, sampling of craft ales all afternoon (last year over 50 were available) and the incredible music of Deb and the Dynamics, Mike Imbasciani and his Blues Rockerz and the Grimes Alley Blues Band from Orlando. Great BBQ for sale from a variety of local vendors! Catch the trolleyOur ever-popular trolley and boat tours are leaving every Friday at 3 p.m. Hop on board and enjoy a great ride through Punta GordaÂs past and present. Trolley tours start at $30 and the combo with the harbor cruise $48. To get on board, simply call us to reserve your spot at 941-6393720. Reservations are required as trolley seats are limited. Get on the listJoin our mailing list to get your very own copy of the Friday Facts and never be out of the loop again! Call us on 941639-3720 or visit www. puntagordachamber. com and click the Friday Facts icon. Don't forget, membership of the Punta Gorda Chamber is available for all, whether business or individual, wherever your business is located. You will always be most welcome and we invite you to be part of this talented group of people. Give us a call at 941-639-3720 and see how you can get involved for a very reasonable rate. John R. Wright is President of the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce jrwright@ puntagorda-chamber. com. The Charlotte Sun is a proud Platinum sponsor of this Chamber.Join John for a drink on the roof Punta Gorda ChamberJohn Wright Our Englewood Community Visitor Center will welcome more than 6,000 guests throughout the year. These guests will stop at our ofÂ“ce for a variety of reasons. Some are annual seasonal residents of our community and they want to know ÂwhatÂs newÂ since they were here last year. We have the vacationers who are looking for things to do and places to dine. Occasionally, weÂll see the person just passing through and they want to learn more about the Englewood area. All of these people Â“nd it worthwhile to peruse our lobby for interesting items. One of the resources our guests have for their information is the multitude of brochures and promotional materials of our chamber members. (NOTE: Let this serve as a reminder to our members: Please keep us well stocked with your collateral.) However, the greatest resource available to our visitor is the chamber volunteer who greets them at the front desk. Depending on the time of year, we are staffed with either one or two volunteers. While sitting at my ofÂ“ce desk, I can often hear the interaction that takes place between our volunteers and our visitors. Recently, we had a lobby full of guests and our volunteers could be heard enthusiastically telling them all of the things they needed to do during their stay. During the course of the conversation, it became apparent that a volunteer and a visitor were from the same part of the country. This is a common occurrence that always makes for a lively chat. We currently have a staff of almost 20 volunteers. These volunteers are scheduled for either one or two four-hour shifts throughout the week. Some are on the schedule just during the season and others are with us year-round. Do you know of anyone who enjoys chatting with people Âƒ talking about our community Âƒ are looking for something to for about four hours a week? Mary Bang, is one of our volunteers who is approaching her 10th year with the chamber. ÂThis is so much fun,ÂŽ she said recently after a guest left the lobby with their arms full of brochures. ÂI just love talking with people and helping them plan what theyÂre going to do while they are here.ÂŽ For additional regarding being a volunteer, please speak with Wynelle at the Chamber ofÂ“ce.Networking opportunitiesÂ€ March 14, Business Card Exchange at Southern Design Living, 2980 Placida Road, Englewood. Â€ March 15, Bizz@ Noon at Primetime Steaks & Spirits, 5855 Placida Road, Englewood. Ed Hill is executive director of the Englewood Florida Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at ed.hill@ englewoodchamber.com.Do you have four hours available? Englewood Chamber Chat Ed Hill What does 14,600 days mean to you? Probably not a lot. But to Eli Porter, Bill Porter and Brian Dalton, it means a life of quality home building, right here in Englewood. Eli Porter is president of Porter Contracting Inc. His father, Bill Porter, is one of the founders and vice president. Brian Dalton is a sales associate. I have known all for many years, and have witnessed how they have grown and have seen Â“rsthand their rise to the top of the building industry. When Newport Homes was founded by Bill Porter and Darryl Newell, way back in 1978, they had no idea theyÂd be putting their signature on more than 2,500 homes, plus the shopping center they are now headquartered in, Newport Square. The company has since changed its name to Porter Contracting, but the local commitment to the community remains the same. Whether itÂs to service clubs, childrenÂs sports, Lemon Bay High School or any of the many different activities that make this and any other community great, this company has always been there. Darryl went on to other things but Bill has been here since day one. He was joined by his son Eli in 2001, forming Porter Contracting. Eli now runs the operation of the company. By the way, Eli married BrianÂs daughter Jessica. Their homes can be found in Punta Gorda, Venice, North Port and of course Englewood. The majority of their homes are in the Rotonda West area. They also have built in Stillwater, Riverwood, Manasota Key, Eagle Preserve, Shamrock Shores and many more upscale communities. Matter of fact, they are in the process of looking to build two homes in the million-dollar range, and have built many for prices just a little bit lower than that Â“gure. There are 13 models that they can build with many offering change to the current plan that you can pick and choose what best Â“ts your wallet and taste. When the housing market was going fullbore, they were averaging about a hundred homes a year built. The market has slowed a little since then, but with their attention to quality and detail, they are still one of the top builders in the area. Porter Contracting homes range from 1,800 to 2,400 square feet, all built and outÂ“tted by local contractors and suppliers. Their homes have also been Parade of Homes winners. By the way 14,600 days is 40 years. How many other builders have been around that long? Trust me, not many. The headquarters is located at 3579 S. Access Road, Englewood, in the New Port Square building. You might really want to check out their website and take a virtual tour of their model homes. Find it at www.portergc.com. The phone number is 941-445-8595.Porter Contracting builds on 40 years of tradition Lang Capasso It has been found that the availability of beautiful, private beach or waterfront rentals, plays a signiÂ“cant factor as visitors are planning their Florida vacations. Additionally, Haynes serves his community through his work with Beach Homes for the Brave, a nonproÂ“t organization that provides free vacations to U.S. troops returning home from service. His work on this project, earned him the Patriotic Civilian Service Award from the U.S. Army. Janet Watermeier is an expert economic development consultant and an active advocate of the arts in Charlotte County. Her 20-year career as an economic and tourism development consultant at the local, regional and state level, has provided Watermeier with a unique and informed perspective on the ways that tourism and the local economy correlate. She is well-acquainted with Charlotte CountyÂs economic development goals, having served two years as an independent contractor for the local Economic Development OfÂ“ce. Presently, Watermeier is the executive director of the Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda, a nonproÂ“t organization offering three galleries, an extensive art library, Â“ne art and craft classes and more than 20 art exhibits annually, all free and open to the public. ÂMr. HaynesÂs and Ms. WatermeierÂs very strong skill are a perfect complement to an already strong and engaged Council,ÂŽ said Lorah Steiner, Director of Tourism for Charlotte County. The Charlotte County Tourist Development Council meets March 14. For more information, visit PureFlorida.com or call 1-800-652-6090.COUNCILFROM PAGE 2 adno=717517

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The Sun /Tuesday, March 6, 2018 www.yoursun.com E/N/C Page 17 OUR TOWN BUSINESS NEWS 5The ÂFriends Alliance of Sarasota County Library SystemÂŽ meet monthly to discuss improvements, new campaigns and budget cuts among other topics. The February meeting took place in the Shannon Staub Public Library, in North Port. Sarasota County Library System Director Sarabeth Kalajian said she would like to implement a reading program call ÂThousand Books Before Kindergarten.ÂŽ There is also a $200,000 campaign to add e-books to the library system.ÂFriendsÂ meet at Shannon Staub library Friends of the Gulf Gate Library Vice President Deanie Erb and President Maxine Solomon. Above: Friends of the Shannon Staub Public Library board member, Judy Renihan and County Library System Director Sarabeth Kalajian. Former Sarasota County Commissioner Shannon Staub took part in a recent Friends Alliance of Sarasota County Library System at the Shannon Staub Public Library, named for her in North Port. Sarasota County Commissioner Alan Maio speaks recnelty at the Friends Alliance of Sarasota County Library System. Library Foundation of Sarasota County Executive Director Sue Seiter reviews the DirectorÂs Report. Above Right: Friends of the Elsie Quirk Library Vice President Tom Sweptson attended the Friends Alliance of Sarasota County Library System monthly meeting. Venice Library Manager Ann Hall at Shannon Staub Public Library recently in North Port. She assisted with the Friends Alliance of Sarasota County Library System meeting. ÂFriends of the Shannon Staub Public LibraryÂŽ President Liz Napoli, and Board Member Marcia Williams take part in a presentatio n at the facility recently.SUN PHOTOS BY MONICA AMAYAAndrea Taylor, technology coordinator for the Sarasota County Libraries, presents the state of the technology in use and what i t could be in a few years. Toni Salvatore, Shannon Staub Public Library Teen Services librarian, presented the benets of the ÂCreation StationÂŽ to promote STEAM skills. Right: Sherry Berry represents Friends of the North Port Library recently at the Friends Alliance of Sarasota County Library System. adno=720007

The News Wire Tuesday, March 6, 2018 STATE Â€ NATIONAL Â€ WORLD Â€ BUSINESS Â€ WEATHER 90th Academy Awards UpdateA man was accused of stealing Frances McDormandÂs Oscar statue. Also, a list of the winners for this yearÂs Academy Awards is provided. See page 10 AP PHOTOPresident Donald Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Oce of the White House on Monday in Washington. Netanyahu finds respite with TrumpWASHINGTON Â„ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, under siege from corruption investigations and other scandals back home, found a warm respite Monday at the White House at the start of a three-day U.S. visit expected to center on Iran, not the stalled Mideast peace process. Even as a criminal investigation into Netanyahu deepened in Israel, the prime minister and President Donald Trump shook hands twice, smiled broadly for the cameras and lavished each other with praise in the Oval OfÂ“ce before they sat down to lunch with their wives and Cabinet members. Trump and Netanyahu have bonded especially closely, in part over their ego-driven style, but also over the threat from Iran and their shared disdain of President Barack Obama. Their meetings offer a sharp contrast to NetanyahuÂs visits with Obama, when they both often sat stiff and unsmiling. In brief comments to reporters, both leaders said U.S.-Israeli relations are stronger than ever. ÂWe are very close on trade deals, we are very, very close on military and terrorism and all of the things that we have to work together on,ÂŽ Trump said. ÂThe relationship has never been better.ÂŽ Netanyahu offered an enthusiastic endorsement of TrumpÂs decision in December to recognize the divided city of Jerusalem as capital of Israel, which previous administrations had refused to do in hopes of furthering peace negotiations. Netanyahu compared Trump to Cyrus the Great, an ancient Persian king who conquered a vast empire and allowed the exiled Jews in Babylonia to return to their ancestral home to rebuild their temple. ÂThe Jewish people have a long memory,ÂŽ Netanyahu said. TrumpÂs decision, he said, will be Âremembered by our people through the ages.ÂŽ Trump said he is proud of recognizing Jerusalem, which he said other presidents had promised but never fulÂ“lled. Critics say the decision upended hopes for a negotiated solution to the IsraeliPalestinian conÂ”ict that included an independent state for the Palestinians, who view East Jerusalem as their capital. Trump said he may travel to Jerusalem later this year when the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv is symbolically transferred to Jerusalem. Initially, the embassy will work out of ofÂ“ces within the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem with a skeleton staff. Trump seemed confused on this point, saying an embassy could be constructed ÂquicklyÂŽ for about $250,000. Building a complete new embassy that meets current security requirements would be expected to cost at least tens of millions of dollars. Both Trump and Netanyahu are widely unpopular at home, and both could get a political boost from this visit, at least with their political bases. ÂTheyÂre both expert at building public support by demonizing their foreign enemies, and they have nothing but disdain for what they see as a liberal press corps that is constantly attacking them unfairly,ÂŽ said Jon Alterman, director of the Middle East program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank. But he said Netanyahu has the most By TRACY WILKINSON and CHRISTI PARSONSTRIBUNE WASHINGTON BUREAUIn a dramatic move designed to appease Gov. Rick Scott and other critics, the Florida Senate adopted a last-minute amendment to its school safety bill Monday that will take some teachers out of an optional program to allow school personnel to carry Â“rearms in schools. Under the amendment, proposed by Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Miami, classroom teachers would not be armed if a school district decides to participate in the so-called Âschool marshalÂŽ program established in response to the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. However, other school personnel, including support staff who provide some instructional work, current or former servicemen or JROTC instructors, would be able to carry Â“rearms. ÂThe goal is to make sure that those instructional personnel that are in the classroom cannot participate in the program,ÂŽ Garcia said. ÂThis is an opt-in program Âƒ ItÂs dependent on the school district and the sheriff to determine if it participates in the program.ÂŽ Sen. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, sponsor of the bill, said he supported the measure, adding that it Âwould eliminate the vast majority of that school personnel from participating in that program.ÂŽ It was approved on a voice vote. Parkland students and their families who came to Tallahassee repeatedly argued against arming teachers. Scott has repeated his opposition to arming teachers and the issue is Â“rmly opposed by most of the 28 members of the Legislative Black Caucus. A statewide Quinnipiac University poll conducted last week said 56 percent of voters oppose giving teachers Â“rearms and 40 percent support it. The poll also showed that a majority of Floridians also support a statewide assault weapons ban and limits on high-capacity magazines but, faced with the difÂ“cult task of deÂ“ning such a ban in the face of Â“erce opposition by the gun lobby, Florida legislators rejected those ideas and instead chose to raise the age limits and expand the waiting period. The Senate began debate on the bill, SB 7026, after spending nearly eight hours on Saturday in a rare weekend Â”oor session, Florida Senate votes 20-18 to approve gun restrictions and arming school ocialsLeaders talk about Iran but not Palestinian peaceBy MARY ELLEN KLASTAMPA BAY TIMESBISMARCK, N.D. Â„ A large storm brought freezing rain, heavy snow and strong winds to a large swath of the Midwest on Monday, snarling trafÂ“c and forcing the closure of some schools and government ofÂ“ces. The system by midweek also was expected to cause more problems for the Northeast, which is dealing with the aftermath of a destructive and deadly norÂeaster. Parts of the Dakotas were expected to get more than a foot of snow by the time the system moved east on Tuesday, with Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa also getting signiÂ“cant amounts, according to the National Weather Service. Snowfall reports from the agency as of mid-afternoon Monday totaled as much as 6 inches in South Dakota and 9 inches in North Dakota and Minnesota. State transportation ofÂ“cials advised against travel in parts of the upper Midwest, and a 211-mile stretch of Interstate 90 in southeastern South Dakota was shut down. I-29 also was set to shut down Monday evening from the North Dakota border to Iowa. The Highway Patrol in Minnesota reported dozens of crashes, several with injuries. Crash reports were much lighter in the Dakotas, though there were numerous reports of vehicles sliding off icy highways. ÂWeÂve been really telling people not to drive, not to travel,ÂŽ South Dakota Department of Public Safety spokesman Tony Mangan said. There were 120 Â”ight cancellations and more than 300 delays at the Minneapolis airport as of late afternoon, according to Metropolitan Airports Commission spokesman Patrick Hogan. Closures affected mostly elementary and secondary schools, though several colleges and universities also shut down their campuses for the day. Among them were the University of Winter storm threatens foot of snow for parts of MidwestBy BLAKE NICHOLSONASSOCIATED PRESS STORM | 2 NETANYAHU | 2 GUN | 2 AP PHOTOSkylar Milne clears his driveway in Elko New Market, Minn., on Monday. A large storm brought freezing rain, heavy snow and strong winds to a large swath of the Midwest snarling trac and forcing the closure of some schools and government oces. SAN FRANCISCO Â„ ThereÂs a dirty little secret about artiÂ“cial intelligence: ItÂs powered by hundreds of thousands of real people. From makeup artists in Venezuela to women in conservative parts of India, people around the world are doing the digital equivalent of needlework Â„drawing boxes around cars in street photos, tagging images, and transcribing snatches of speech that computers canÂt quite make out. Such data feeds directly into Âmachine learningÂŽ algorithms that help self-driving cars wind through trafÂ“c and let Alexa Â“gure out that you want the lights on. Many such technologies wouldnÂt work without massive quantities of this human-labeled data. These repetitive tasks pay pennies apiece. But in bulk, this work can offer a decent wage in many parts of the world Â„ even in the U.S. And it underpins a technology that could change humanity forever: AI that will drive us around, execute verbal commands without Â”aw, and Â„ possibly Â„ one day think on its own. For more than a decade, Google has used people to rate the accuracy of its search results. More recently, investors have poured tens of millions of dollars into startups like Mighty AI and CrowdFlower, which are developing software that makes it easier to label photos and other data, even on smartphones. Venture capitalist S. ÂSomaÂŽ Somasegar says he sees Âbillions of dollars of opportunityÂŽ in servicing the needs of machine learning algorithms. His Â“rm, Madrona Venture Group, invested in Mighty AI. Humans will be in the loop Âfor a long, long, long time to come,ÂŽ he says. Accurate labeling could make the difference between a self-driving car distinguishing between the sky and the side of a truck Â„ a distinction TeslaÂs Model S failed in the Â“rst known fatality involving self-driving systems in 2016. ÂWeÂre not building a system to play a game, weÂre building a system to save lives,ÂŽ says Mighty AI CEO Daryn Nakhuda. * Marjorie Aguilar, a 31-yearold freelance makeup artist in Maracaibo, Venezuela, spends four to six hours a day drawing boxes around trafÂ“c objects to help train self-driving systems for Mighty AI. She earns about 50 cents AI has a dirty little secret: ItÂs powered by peopleBy RYAN NAKASHIMAAP TECHNOLOGY WRITERPEOPLE | 2 AP PHOTOThis August 2017 photo shows Shamima Khatoon in New Delhi. KhatoonÂs job of annotating cars, lane markers and trac lights represents the only chance she has to work outside the home in a conservative Muslim region of India.

The Sun /Tuesday, March 6, 2018 www.yoursun.com Page 3 WORLD BEIJING Â„ ChinaÂs government pledged Monday to deliver robust growth, pursue advanced technology and boost military spending while urging the public to embrace President Xi JinpingÂs rule as its ceremonial legislature prepared for changes to allow Xi to stay in power indeÂ“nitely. The plan to end constitutional limits on XiÂs term as president has overshadowed the meeting of the National PeopleÂs Congress, which usually is used to showcase economic initiatives and plans for social programs and other government work. In a nearly two-hour speech to the legislature, Premier Li Keqiang did not mention the scrapping of term limits but emphasized the primacy of Xi and the ruling Communist Party he leads in all aspects of Chinese life. ÂResolutely safeguard General Secretary Xi JinpingÂs core status and the authority of the partyÂs central committee and its centralized and uniÂ“ed leadership,ÂŽ Li said in a speech to nearly 3,000 delegates to the ceremonial legislature in the Great Hall of the People. The slide toward oneman rule under Xi, already ChinaÂs most dominant Â“gure of recent decades, has fueled concern that Beijing is eroding efforts to guard against the excesses of autocratic leadership and make economic regulation more stable and predictable. The presidentÂs ofÂ“ce has few powers, but XiÂs posts as ruling party general secretary and chairman of the commission that controls the partyÂs military wing, the PeopleÂs Liberation Army, already have no term limit. By tradition since the early 1990s, one person has held all three posts at the same time. ÂIf it gets approved, you can describe his attempt to abolish term limits as really to make China medieval again, not to make China great again,ÂŽ said Warren Sun, a historian of the Chinese Communist Party at AustraliaÂs Monash University. The 64-year-old Xi has appointed himself to head bodies that oversee national security, Â“nance, economic reform and other functions, effectively sidelining Li, the partyÂs No. 2 Â“gure. Chinese ofÂ“cials have defended the end of XiÂs term limits as necessary to ensure continuity as Beijing undertakes a sprawling long-range agenda aimed at making state industry competitive and productive, developing proÂ“table high-tech industry, reducing poverty and cleaning up ChinaÂs battered environment. In line with this agenda, Li set this yearÂs growth target at around 6.5 percent, which would be among the worldÂs strongest if achieved. It comes amid a marathon campaign to nurture self-sustaining growth based on domestic consumption instead of trade and investment and to rein in surging debt that prompted ratings agencies to cut BeijingÂs government credit rating last year. Li said the target would enable China to achieve Ârelatively full employment.ÂŽ Private sector analysts have questioned whether Beijing can achieve such strong growth without infusions of bank lending and government spending, which would set back its reforms. Last yearÂs growth came in at 6.9 percent, but that was supported by a boom in bank lending and real estate sales that regulators are trying to rein in amid concern about debt that has soared to the equivalent of 270 percent of annual economic output Â„ unusually high for a developing country. Li promised progress on an array of politically challenging plans, including the restructuring or bankruptcy of Âzombie enterprises,ÂŽ money-losing but politically favored companies that are kept aÂ”oat by loans from government banks. The premier said Beijing will speed up state-led development of integrated circuits, mobile communications, aircraft engines, electric cars and other technology. ChinaÂs military spending, already the worldÂs second-highest behind the United States, will rise 8.1 percent to 1.1 trillion yuan ($173 billion) as Beijing prepares to launch its second aircraft carrier and develop stealth Â“ghters and advanced missiles.China pledges strong growth as Xi bids to rule indefinitelyBy JOE McDONALD and GILLIAN WONGASSOCIATED PRESS AP PHOTOChinese President Xi Jinping applauds during the opening session of the annual National PeopleÂs Congress in BeijingÂs Great Hall of the People on Monday. | INTERNATIONAL NEWS BRIEFSUS trade representative says progress slow at NAFTA talksMEXICO CITY (AP) Â„ The U.S. trade representative says agreement was reached on only three chapters of the North American Free Trade Agreement during the latest round of talks on renegotiating the treaty and warns that Âtime is running shortÂŽ to reach a deal. Robert Lighthizer says that overall, only six of NAFTAÂs 30 chapters have been concluded in seven rounds of talks. Lighthizer said Monday that Âwe have not made the progress many had hoped.ÂŽ He added: ÂI fear the longer we proceed, the more political headwinds we will feel.ÂŽ He says that if threeway negotiations involving the U.S., Mexico and Canada donÂt work, Âwe are prepared to move on a bilateral basis.ÂŽ Lighthizer spoke in Mexico City, where the latest round of talks took place.Judge, police help oust Trump Hotels from Panama propertyPANAMA CITY (AP) Â„ Escorted by police ofÂ“cers and a Panamanian judicial ofÂ“cial, the owners of the Trump Panama City hotel have taken control of the property. A team of Trump Organization security ofÂ“cials abandoned the area on Monday. The action by PanamaÂs government resolves a 12-day standoff between President Donald TrumpÂs family hotel business and Orestes Fintiklis, a private equity investor who sought to drop TrumpÂs management company and brand. Though Fintiklis and other owners tried to Â“re TrumpÂs company last year, the Trump Organization had refused to surrender physical possession of the hotel. Speaking from the hotelÂs administrative ofÂ“ces Monday, Fintiklis called the Â“ght a commercial matter that had spun out of control and praised Panamanian authorities. A representative of the Trump Organization did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Malta becomes 2nd European country to lower voting age to 16VALLETTA, Malta (AP) Â„ Lawmakers in Malta have unanimously approved constitutional amendments lowering the minimum voting age for general elections and national referendums to 16. The Maltese ParliamentÂs approval on Monday night makes Malta the second European country after Austria to give 16-yearolds the right to vote in national contests. They have been able to vote in City Council elections since 2015. Maltese citizens still need to be at least 18 years old to be candidates in national elections. HEARING LOSS FREE $1299ea $999ea Sales & Service for All Major Manufacturers: Audifon, Audina, Hansaton, Microtech, Oticon, Phonak, Resound, Rexton, Siemens, Sonic, Starkey, Unitron, and Widex Family Owned and Operated. Consistently Voted #1 adno=50531099

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Page 4 www.yoursun.com The Sun / Tuesday, March 6, 2018 STATE-BY-STATE Grabbing mimosa ingredients the morning of an impromptu brunch. Picking up a bottle of red wine for Sunday dinner while grocery shopping. Rushing out to buy a case of your favorite beer because a few of your friends have invited themselves over at the last minute to watch a full day of NFL action. These Sunday shopping scenarios were impossibilities in Indiana. But not now. Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a historic bill Wednesday that made Sunday carryout alcohol sales legal in Indiana. Sunday ushered in the new reality that allows grocery, package liquor, drug and convenience stores to sell alcohol between noon and 8p.m. The milestone was still setting in for Hoosiers. ÂI just always, always remember it being a thing ... something that made Indiana dierent or quirky or whatever,ÂŽ said Phillip Harris, a Peru native who has called Carmel home for the past four years. ÂI remember growing up as a kid and hearing my mom or dad moan when they realized they forgot to buy wine in advance for some Sunday night gathering. Everyone just kind of threw up their hands and said, ÂWell, thatÂs Indiana.ÂÂŽ The rst day of Sunday carryout sales saw excitement from patrons and businesses who have long pushed for change. Kroger spokesman Eric Halvorson said the grocery giant has assured legislators that the grocer will handle sales on Sundays in the same responsible fashion it does the other six days of the week. ÂI think everyone is happy to nally have some resolution to this,ÂŽ Halvorson said. ÂWeÂre thrilled that we can oer this service to our customers because weÂve heard about it for so many years. Since itÂs one of the top shopping days of the week anyway, from our standpoint it just makes sense. ÂIn short, people are saying itÂs about time.ÂŽ One of the rst people in the state to take advantage of the new law was Marvin Morris at the Kroger on West Michigan Street. He waited more than 30 minutes to ring up his case of beer. He had been grocery shopping earlier and didnÂt realize that alcohol sales didnÂt begin until noon. Instead of making a trip back to the store later in the day, he waited. After a few failed swipes at the self-checkout line, the system updated when the clock struck 12. ÂItÂs been a long time,ÂŽ Morris said after nishing the transaction. HIGHLIGHT: INDIANA Gov. Eric Holcomb gets beer Sunday. MICHELLE PEMBERTON/INDIANAPOLIS STARSunday six-packs get a thirsty Hoosier saluteJustin L. MackIndianapolis Star USA TODAY NETWORKALABAMAFlorence: The University of North Alabama is honoring its rst black student, renaming part of its campus the Wendell W. Gunn University Commons. A renaming ceremony is planned next week.ALASKAJuneau: State lawmakers are considering requiring titles for smaller boats to help deal with a problem of abandoned vessels along state waterways, KTOO reports. ARIZONAPrescott: Demand to get on the single-day event schedule at PrescottÂs historic courthouse plaza continues to exceed supply as nonprot groups scramble to get a weekend slot, The Daily Courier reports. ARKANSASBrickeys: Authorities are investigating the death of an inmate found hanging in a single-person cell at the East Arkansas Regional Unit. CALIFORNIAMammoth Lakes: Avalanches hit two California ski resorts on consecutive days. Three people were partially buried but unhurt at Mammoth Mountain. Two people were hurt at Squaw Valley. COLORADODenver: A defense investigator who refused to testify for prosecutors in a death penalty case, citing her Mennonite faith, remains jailed. An appeals court denied her request for alternate conditions. CONNECTICUTHartford: State Treasurer Denise Nappier says sheÂs open to reviewing the stateÂs investments in gun companies. Nappier says ConnecticutÂs pension portfolio has about $16.5million invested in gun makers. DELAWAREWilmington: A tractortrailer driver carrying luxury cars got stuck under an overpass for nine hours, damaging several Porches and Bentleys, The News Journal reports. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA:The National Cherry Blossom Festival is set to begin March 20, just at the end of the peak time estimated by the National Park Service for cherry blossoms to bloom along the Tidal Basin. FLORIDATallahassee: State lawmakers are moving toward approving workersÂ compensation benets for reghters, police ocers and other rst responders who suer from post-traumatic stress disorder.GEORGIAKennesaw: Some faculty members and students at Kennesaw State University say candidates for school president should be made public. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the search committee has withheld those names. HAWAIIHonolulu: A QueenÂs Medical Center nurse was awarded nearly $4million after an image of a noose was taped to her locker and a racist note was left in her hospital mailbox. Ellen Harris was targeted after reporting suspected wrongdoing. IDAHOBoise: State ocials have auctioned timber in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests in an agreement with the U.S. Forest Service to reduce the severity of wildres. ILLINOISChicago: The city has announced $33million in security upgrades on the Chicago Transit Authority system. The project includes new and upgraded station lighting. INDIANABloomington: Fraternity chapters at Indiana University have been given new limitations on social activities involving alcohol after a three-month suspension ended last week, The Herald Times reports. IOWADes Moines: An ex-insurance agent and ex-claims representative are charged with felonies following an investigation by the state insurance Fraud Bureau, KCCI-TV reports. KANSASLawrence: Founders of the Party of the Center have joined with the Denver-based Serve America Movement to promote political candidates taking centrist positions, The Topeka Capital-Journal reports. KENTUCKYCoalton: Cosmetics company LÂOreal plans to use gas captured at the Coalton landll as a renewable ener gy resource, The Dail y Independent reports.LOUISIANANew Orleans: The University of New Orleans received a $1million anonymous gift to upgrade its chemistry labs.MAINEDixeld: Ocials say a worker performing maintenance on a crane died in an accident at the Irving Forest Products Sawmill. MARYLANDBaltimore: The city will expand its speed and red light camera system, nearly doubling it, The Baltimore Sun reports. MASSACHUSETTSBraintree: The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston launched its key fundraising drive of the year last weekend. Last yearÂs appeal raised over $16 million. MICHIGANBrooklyn: Michigan International Speedway is marking its 50th anniversary this year with events to celebrate the history of the two-mile track that hosts two top-level NASCAR races each year.MINNESOTASt. Paul: State lawmakers have rejected emergency funding to repair MinnesotaÂs troubled new computer system for license and vehicle registrations. MISSISSIPPIJackson: City ocials have been asked to take another look Tuesday after voting 4-3 to re j ect a p ermit for a g a y p ride p arade. Organizers have asked a judge to order the city to allow the event. MISSOURIHarrisonville: Local school ocials are refusing to read the name of a student who committed suicide in 2016 during this yearÂs graduation, despite a petition supporting the familyÂs request, The Kansas City Star reports. MONTANAHelena: The Montana secretary of stateÂs oce is reviewing a proposed ballot issue to amend the state constitution to bar non-U.S. citizens from voting. Immigration advocates say the measure is unnecessary. NEBRASKAOutt Air Force Base: A tornado that tore through Outt Air Force Base last June caused nearly $20million in damage, including damage to at least 10 planes, The Omaha World-Herald reports.NEVADAReno: The cityÂs last drive-thru wedding chapel has heard its nal vows, The Reno Gazette-Journal reports. The Chapel of the Bells that dates to 1962 closed last week. NEW HAMPSHIREConcord: The stateÂs Poetry Out Loud championship is set for Friday. The winner will receive $200 and a paid trip to Washington, D.C., to compete for the national championship. NEW JERSEYTrenton: The stateÂs biggest utility is canceling funding for capital projects at the Salem nuclear plant because of a stalled legislative eort to nancially rescue the stateÂs nuclear industry. NEW MEXICOSanta Fe: Ocials are taking steps to eradicate invasive Russian olive trees from the Leonora Curtin Wetland Preserve because they suck the wetlands dry, The Santa Fe New Mexico reports. NEW YORKAlbany: The state has moved its fall primary date back two days this year so it doesnÂt interfere with the 9/11anniversary or Rosh Hashanah. The primary is Sept.13. NORTH CAROLINAWilmington: Ocials in this coastal city are discussing what to do if its port begins loading and unloading freight trains nearly 2 miles long, StarNews says. NORTH DAKOTABismarck: Legacy United Methodist Church is planning a $2million expansion after growing 45% in the past ve years, The Bismarck Tribune reports. OHIOCleveland: Naturalists say bald eagles are nesting here for the rst time in a century, The Plain Dealer reports. A Metroparks worker spotted a pair on a Cuyahoga River blu. OKLAHOMAStillwater: Payne and Logan county residents pursuing oil and gas producers for earthquake damage to their homes and businesses are waiting on a federal judgeÂs decision in another case, the Stillwater News Press reports. OREGONSalem: State lawmakers wrapped up their 2018 session last weekend after focusing largely on an anticipated $217million loss as a result of the federal tax overhaul. PENNSYLVANIADevon: The stateÂs budding medical marijuana dispensaries have just about run out of pot, Philly.com reports. More crops arenÂt expected to be ready until late March. RHODE ISLANDSmitheld: Bryant University has extended the term of President Ronald Machtley through 2022, boosting his tenure to 26 years. SOUTH CAROLINASpartanburg: The pastor of a church day care says a teacher found a loaded gun in a studentÂs lunch bag and conscated it, the Herald-Journal reports. SOUTH DAKOTASioux Falls: Headliners like Garth Brooks and the Foo Fighters helped Sioux FallsÂ $117million events center sell more than 700,000 tickets in 2017 for 18 soldout events, The Argus Leader says.TENNESSEEChattanooga: Low demand for Passats will close the local Volkswagen plant for two weeks this spring, The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports. TEXASFort Worth: Free rides have returned to Molly the Trolley after six months of collecting $2 fares, the city Convention & Visitors Bureau says. UTAHSt. George: Authorities say a man led police on a 60-mile chase at speeds up to 115mph until a trooper was able to force the vehicle into a spin. A woman and three children in the car werenÂt injured. VERMONTHighgate: Ocials say a dairy truck driver caught on surveillance video urinating near dairy cows was red, WCAX-TV reports. No charges have been led, but local police and state agriculture ocials are checking if any laws were broken. VIRGINIANorfolk: Tidewater Community College President Edna Baehre-Kolovani says layos in the English and emergency medical services departments will be announced next week to take eect June30, The Virginian-Pilot reports. WASHINGTONOlympia: State lawmakers have sent Gov. Jay Inslee a bill to ban licensed therapists from trying to change a minorÂs sexual orientation. Sanctions include a license suspension or revocation. WEST VIRGINIAElkins: Authorities say recruiting eorts are underway to form a bagpipe band at Davis & Elkins College to perform with the Highlanders pipe and drum band. WISCONSINJanesville: The city is working to become more bike-friendly by creating bike corridors, adding bike lanes and connecting o-road trails, The Janesville Gazette reports. WYOMINGCasper: A man who pleaded guilty to six felonies in a drug-related crime spree was sentenced last week to 40 years in prison, KTWO-AM reports. Christopher Eads was accused of stealing three cars, among other oenses. From sta, wire reports News from across the US A

The Sun /Tuesday, March 6, 2018 www.yoursun.com Page 7 MARMADUKE By Brad Anderson Cryptoquip 2011 by King Features Syndicate Challenger YesterdayÂs Challenger Answers DEAR DR. ROACH: I have had two angioplasty procedures completed, one in 1999 and the second in 2014. Stents were inserted during each procedure. As a preventive measure, my dentist wants me to take four antibiotic pills (amoxicillin) before I see the hygienist. What is the reason for this? Do you feel it is necessary to take antibiotics before each visit to the hygienist? Â„ E.L.S. ANSWER: Antibiotic prophylaxis is not routinely recommended for people with cardiac stents. The risk of infection is very low, probably lower than the small risk of an adverse event from the antibiotics. People with some cardiac problems, such as a prosthetic heart valve, some types of congenital heart disease or a prior history of infection of the heart valve should take antibiotics. Of course, I would get assurance from your cardiologist that there is not something distinct about your case, but from what you have told me, I wouldn't recommend antibiotics. DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 59 years old and in good health. For several years now I have had tingling and a slight numb feeling in mostly the ball of my left foot and sometimes the right. Sometimes it is like the feel of a sock rumpled up in my shoe, which is somewhat uncomfortable but not painful. I feel the sensation mostly at night while lying in bed. I am not diabetic. I have worked out all my adult life. I used to run up to 25 miles per week for many years but stopped, as I could sense this was not good for my knees as I got older. For exercise now, I ride my bike and work with weights. I like to take walks and hikes. Could this be just compression of the nerves over the years, with literally thousands of miles on my feet and bike rides? Â„ T.B. ANSWER: I found a study looking at 25 long-distance runners (average lifetime distance was 20,000 miles), which found evidence for damage to nerves, but which did not lead to symptoms. I think it's possible that the exercise alone could have caused your symptoms; however, I would still recommend at least a focused evaluation for other causes of neuropathy. In addition to the diabetes you mention, vitamin B-12 deciency, Lyme disease and celiac disease are on my short list of conditions to consider in people with peripheral neuropathy, which is a general term used when the nerves don't work properly and it's not a function of the brain or spinal column. There are many others. DEAR DR. ROACH: I have grandchildren who are very allergic to cats. Could they develop COPD from being around cats? Â„ Anon. ANSWER: The vast majority of cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are caused by tobacco. A much smaller but still substantial number of cases are in people with an enzyme defect, alpha-1 antitrypsin deciency, but many people with this get symptoms only when they smoke or are exposed to lung irritants. People with cat allergies may develop asthma, an obstructive lung disease that is distinct from COPD, and have worsened symptoms around cats. The booklet on COPD explains both emphysema and chronic bronchitis, the two elements of COPD, in detail. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Roach Book No. 601 628 Virginia Dr. Orlando, FL 32803 Enclose a check or money order for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient's printed name and address. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.DEAR ABBY: I have been married two years, but my husband and I have been together for more than 10. We have a 3-year-old daughter who has needed a few extra doctor appointments and therapy. My husband makes it to none of these extra appointments, some of which are crucial to her future. We both work full-time, but he works six days a week. I have started to regard him dierently because I'm doing everything for our daughter. I don't want my marriage to fail, but we aren't connecting anymore. I take o work or switch my hours around because I know that's what you do for your child. He never takes o work, yet he doesn't think twice about going golng with his boss like it's no big deal. What do you think I should do? Â„ Wisconsin Mommy DEAR MOMMY: You won't be able to achieve a more equal balance until you make your feelings known and discuss this. I'm sorry you didn't mention what kind of job your husband has, because it's an important omission. He may be doing everything he can for you and his daughter. A six-day-a-week schedule doesn't oer exibility. DEAR ABBY: I have a close friend with whom I often travel and attend events. She's a lovely person, but she has the odd habit of singing in public Â„ in gift shops, restaurants, or any public place where music is playing. I can't have the radio on in the car without her singing along. She has an OK voice, but her style is a bit operatic. How can I gently tell her that her spontaneous performances are inappropriate and excessive? Â„ Not Karaoke In The East DEAR NOT KARAOKE: I suspect your friend craves attention, which is why she does it. Pay her the compliment she's looking for by telling her how nice her voice is, but you would prefer she not sing when you're out in public together because you nd it embarrassing. Dear Readers: Do you worry about your credit card information when you SHOP ONLINE? Companies are making sure that security features are getting better. When placing an order on the computer or over the phone, in addition to your credit card number, you'll be asked for your credit card's CVV, or Card Verication Value. This is a threeor fourdigit code imprinted on the card, and it's used as an extra layer of security for you. The number is located either on the back of the card next to the signature strip, or on the front of the card. This feature was added to credit cards in the mid-1990s. It is to verify that you have the card in hand. Interestingly, a website that you shop frequently can store your credit card number for future purchases, but it won't store the CVV Â„ you'll have to provide it each time, and that's for your protection. Â„ HeloiseAntibiotics be f ore teeth cleaning is not recommended Husband's work-life isn't working out for busy mom A safe code for good creditHints from Heloise Dr. Roach Dear Abby

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Page 8 www.yoursun.com The Sun / Tuesday, March 6, 2018 Do you believe that you deserve to have fun? How you answer may have more to do with your generation than your personality. Whether you think fun is a birthright or a reward for work, without enjoyment youÂre not going to be at your best. Give yourself some fun during this transitional time of Venus and Mercury moving into Aries. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Focus on the issue at hand Â„ or better yet, make sure it is squarely in front of your face. DonÂt give yourself the option of procrastinating or doing nothing. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). This is a day when you will begin and end things well. YouÂll have a stellar sense of what to start and how. But more importantly, youÂll know how and when to conclude. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Maybe youÂd rather chitchat for 15 minutes than embrace for ve seconds. ThereÂs something so intimate about a hug that it can be a little unnerving at times. Go for the hug anyway. CANCER (June 22-July 22). Your creativity is owing strong. All your ideas are good, but theyÂre not all shareable. You donÂt want to overwhelm your audience. Stay on point. You donÂt want them to lose sight of the forest because one of the trees was so interesting. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Much of the day will be spent doing things that you used to do because you had to. The dierence is that now youÂre doing them because you can. ItÂs an honor to be able to contribute. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your life is mundane exuberance today Â„ a riot of color Â„ all because you know where to look and how to look at it. ItÂs not just about the visuals, either... all of your senses are tuned in and searching for the celebration of life. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). If you put up your shield against bad moods, youÂll also be blocking out the livelier parts of life. Much will depend on the range youÂre willing to accept. The pendulum swings as far north as it does south. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Think twice before trading your information for a prize today. Most transactions are harmless, but err on the safe side. An adage for the digital age: If something is free, that means you are the product. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You have a knack for making the scene more vivid to those lucky enough to share it with you. Your secret: The layers of protection youÂve shed have allowed you to experience things more keenly. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). The richest one could be the one who has the most, or the one who needs the least. Either direction is acceptable. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). A lot of the conversation today is a competition. If you had to distil it to its essence, it would go something like this: ÂIÂm the best.ÂŽ ÂNo, IÂm the best.ÂŽ PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). To understand that money doesnÂt buy happiness doesnÂt necessarily make anyone happier with less money. Bottom line, you want more money, and you have your reasons. TODAYÂS BIRTHDAY (March 6). The next three weeks will bring exciting news, goodwill gestures and the completion of a task thatÂs taken years to accomplish. A discovery will change your mind, and October brings a move. The best time to invest will be July and September. Leo and Virgo adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 40, 20, 22 and 38. HOROSCOPE BLONDIE By Dean Young and John Marshall BORN LOSER By Art and Chip Sansom BABY BLUES By Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott MUTTS By Patrick McDonnell DOONSBURY By Garry Trudeau

Page 10 www.yoursun.com The Sun / Tuesday, March 6, 2018 NATION ALMANACToday is Tuesday, March 6, the 65th day of 2018. There are 300 days left in the year. Today in historyOn March 6, 1836 the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, fell as Mexican forces led by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna stormed the fortress after a 13-day siege; the battle claimed the lives of all the Texan defenders, nearly 200 strong, including William Travis, James Bowie and Davy Crockett. On this dateIn 1475 Italian artist and poet Michelangelo was born in Caprese in the Republic of Florence. In 1853 VerdiÂs opera ÂLa TraviataÂŽ premiered in Venice, Italy. In 1857 the U.S. Supreme Court, in Dred Scott v. Sandford, ruled 7-2 that Scott, a slave, was not an American citizen and therefore could not sue for his freedom in federal court. In 1944 U.S. heavy bombers staged the first full-scale American raid on Berlin during World War II. In 1983 in a case that drew much notoriety, a woman was gang-raped atop a pool table in a tavern in New Bedford, Massachusetts, called Big DanÂs; four men were later convicted of the attack. TodayÂs birthdaysFormer FBI and CIA director William Webster is 94. Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan is 92. Dancer-actress Carmen de Lavallade is 87. Former Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova is 81. Actress-writer Joanna Miles is 78. Actor Ben Murphy is 76. Opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa is 74. Singer Mary Wilson (The Supremes) is 74. Rock musician Hugh Grundy (The Zombies) is 73. Rock singer-musician David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) is 72. Actress Anna Maria Horsford is 71. Actor-director Rob Reiner is 71. Singer Kiki Dee is 71. Fox News reporter John Stossel is 71. Composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz is 70. Rock singer-musician Phil Alvin (The Blasters) is 65. Actor Tom Arnold is 59. Actor D.L. Hughley is 54. Actor Shuler Hensley is 51. Actress Connie Britton is 51. Actress Moira Kelly is 50. Actress Amy Pietz is 49. Rock musician Chris Broderick (Megadeth) is 48. Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille OÂNeal is 46. Rock musician Chris Tomson (Vampire Weekend) is 34. Actor Eli Marienthal is 32. Actor Dillon Freasier is 22. Actress Savannah Stehlin is 22. Bible verse ÂO that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.ÂŽ Â„ Job 13:5. Many times saying nothing is about the smartest thing we can do. HAGERMAN, N.M. (AP) Â„ Something stinks in one southeastern New Mexico town and residents want police on the case. KRQE-TV in Albuquerque reports skunk smell is plaguing the town of Hagerman, New Mexico, thanks to a mild winter that is bringing out the smelling mammals early. Viola Badcock, the owner of Hagerman Township Animal Shelter, says the annoying animals are hanging in town and generally are not healthy. She says their stink appears to be a growing problem. Hagerman Police Patrolman Adam Chavez says officers are settling up traps around town and in nearby Lake Arthur and Dexter. Chavez says healthy skunks caught in traps will be relocated on the east side of town near a river.ODD NEWS Stink strait: New Mexico town battling growing skunk crisis LIST OF WINNERS FOR 90TH ACADEMY AWARDSList of winners for the 90th Academy Awards presented Sunday by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences: Â€ Best Picture: ÂThe Shape of WaterÂŽ Â€ Actor: Gary Oldman, ÂDarkest HourÂŽ Â€ Actress: Frances McDormand, ÂThree Billboards Outside Ebbing, MissouriÂŽ Â€ Supporting Actor: Sam Rockwell, ÂThree Billboards Outside Ebbing, MissouriÂŽ Â€ Supporting Actress: Allison Janney, ÂI, TonyaÂŽ Â€ Directing: ÂThe Shape of Water,ÂŽ Guillermo del Toro Â€ Foreign Language Film: ÂA Fantastic Woman,ÂŽ Chile Â€ Adapted Screenplay: ÂCall Me by Your NameÂŽ Â€ Original Screenplay: ÂGet OutÂŽ Â€ Production Design: ÂThe Shape of WaterÂŽ Â€ Cinematography: ÂBlade Runner 2049ÂŽ Â€ Sound Mixing: ÂDunkirkÂŽ Â€ Sound Editing: ÂDunkirkÂŽ Â€ Original Score: ÂThe Shape of Water,ÂŽ Alexandre Desplat Â€ Original Song: ÂRemember MeÂŽ from ÂCocoÂŽ Â€ Documentary Feature: ÂIcarusÂŽ Â€ Documentary (short subject): ÂHeaven Is a Traffic Jam on the 405ÂŽ Â€ Film Editing: ÂDunkirkÂŽ Â€ Makeup and Hairstyling: ÂDarkest HourÂŽ Â€ Animated Short Film: ÂDear BasketballÂŽ Â€ Live Action Short Film: ÂThe Silent ChildÂŽ Â€ Animated Feature Film: ÂCocoÂŽ Â€ Visual Effects: ÂBlade Runner 2049ÂŽ Â€ Costume Design: Mark Bridges, ÂPhantom ThreadÂŽ The man arrested for swiping Frances McDormandÂs Oscar trophy paraded a golden statue around an Academy Awards after-party and emphatically boasted heÂd won the award himself. Claiming to be a music producer, Terry Bryant held the trophy up high at the GovernorÂs Ball as he Â“lmed a Facebook Live video and urged other partygoers to congratulate him. ÂLookit baby. My team got this tonight,ÂŽ Bryant proclaims in the video, before kissing the statue. ÂThis is mine!ÂŽ He then allowed a fellow attendee to touch the trophy before asking a bystander for the address to Jimmy KimmelÂs party. Later in the nearly three-minute video, Bryant tells a woman at the ball that he won the award for Âbest producer.ÂŽ ÂAcademy Awards baby for music,ÂŽ he declares. ÂYou know what, I canÂt believe I got this. CanÂt believe it. For music.ÂŽ Bryant, 47, was arrested for allegedly stealing McDormandÂs trophy, which she earned after winning Best Actress for her performance in ÂThree Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.ÂŽ ÂThe incident did occur,ÂŽ OfÂ“cer Rosario Herrera of the Los Angeles Police Department said. ÂThe person who was arrested goes by the name Terry Bryant. He was arrested for grand theft, a felony.ÂŽ Bryant was taken into custody at 11:50 p.m. Sunday and booked a few hours later. He was still being held on $20,000 bail early Monday, jail records show. The award has since been returned to McDormand, her rep conÂ“rmed to USA Today. ÂFran and Oscar are happily reunited and are enjoying an In-N-Out burger together,ÂŽ her rep told the newspaper. McDormand, 60, had been seen crying outside of the GovernorÂs Ball before the award was returned, according to USA Today. BryantÂs social media pages are Â“lled with photos of him with celebrities Â„ including Beyonc, Rihanna, Stevie Wonder, DJ Khaled and Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel Â„ and him at exclusive events including the Oscars, the Golden Globes and multiple movie premieres. The theft was Â“rst reported by New York Times reporter Cara Buckley, who wrote in a tweet that a man had attempted to make off with McDormandÂs gold statue but was stopped. Sunday nightÂs award marked the second Best Actress win of McDormandÂs career. The star also won the coveted honor for ÂFargoÂŽ in 1996. McDormand gave a powerful speech after receiving the award Sunday, inviting every woman nominated for an Oscar to stand up while urging moviemakers to help them tell their stories.Man accused of stealing Frances McDormandÂs Oscar statueBy NANCY DILLON and PETER SBLENDORIONEW YORK DAILY NEWS AP PHOTOFrances McDormand accepts the award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for ÂThree Billboards Outside Ebbing, MissouriÂŽ at the Oscars on Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. NORRISTOWN, Pa. Â„ Bill Cosby made his Â“rst court appearance of the #MeToo era on Monday as defense lawyers tried without success to get his sexual assault case thrown out, then turned their attention to blocking some of the 80-year-old comedianÂs dozens of accusers from testifying at his looming retrial. Prosecutors are trying to persuade the judge to allow as many as 19 other women to take the stand, including model Janice Dickinson, as they attempt to show the comedian had a long history of drugging and attacking women. TheyÂre also trying to insulate CosbyÂs accuser, Andrea Constand, from what a prosecutor called Âinevitable attacksÂŽ on her credibility. Allowing other women to take the stand will show jurors that Cosby Âsystematically engaged in a signature pattern of providing an intoxicant to his young female victim and then sexually assaulting her when she became incapacitated,ÂŽ Assistant District Attorney Adrienne D. Jappe told the judge. CosbyÂs lawyers will address the issue in court Tuesday. TheyÂve argued in writing that some of the womenÂs allegations date to the 1960s and are impossible to defend against, given that some witnesses are dead, memories are faded and evidence has been lost. Judge Steven OÂNeill said he would not rule on whether to allow the testimony by the end of the two-day hearing, calling it an Âextraordinarily weighty issueÂŽ that he needs time to review. The judge allowed just one other accuser to take the stand at CosbyÂs Â“rst trial last year, barring any mention of about 60 others who have come forward to accuse Cosby in recent years. The only other hint that jurors got of CosbyÂs past came from deposition excerpts from 2005 and 2006 in which the star admitted giving quaaludes to women he wanted to have sex with. Cosby, who entered the courtroom on the arm of his spokesman, has said his encounter with Constand was consensual. A jury deadlocked on the case last year, setting the stage for a retrial. Earlier Monday, CosbyÂs retooled defense team, led by former Michael Jackson lawyer Tom Mesereau, had argued that telephone records, travel itineraries and other evidence show the alleged assault couldnÂt have happened when Constand says it did and thus falls outside the statute of limitations. The defense disputed ConstandÂs testimony at last yearÂs trial that he assaulted her at his suburban Philadelphia home in January 2004, when she was a Temple University womenÂs basketball executive and he was a powerful Temple trustee. Constand didnÂt give a speciÂ“c date, but said the incident had to have happened prior to Jan. 20, when her cousin moved into her Philadelphia apartment. CosbyÂs lawyers told OÂNeill theyÂd found evidence that Cosby wasnÂt even in Pennsylvania during that time. Constand testiÂ“ed she would have called Cosby to be let into his home, but his lawyers said her phone records donÂt reÂ”ect such a call within her timeframe. The date is important because Cosby wasnÂt arrested until Dec. 30, 2015 Â„ meaning any assault prior to Dec. 30, 2003, would have fallen outside the 12-year statute of limitations. OÂNeill said heÂd leave that for the jury to decide, rejecting a defense motion to dismiss the charges. Jury selection is slated to begin March 29.Prosecutors push judge to let other Cosby accusers testifyBy MICHAEL R. SISAKASSOCIATED PRESS AP PHOTOBill Cosby arrives for a pretrial hearing in his sexual assault case at the Montgomery County Courthouse on Monday in Norristown, Pa. SAN FRANCISCO Â„ Claims that the active ingredient in the widely used weed killer Roundup can cause cancer have been evaluated by international agencies, U.S. and foreign regulators and the productÂs manufacturer Â„ agribusiness giant Monsanto. Now, a federal judge in San Francisco is conducting his own review during an unusual set of court hearings that began Monday. It has big stakes for Monsanto and hundreds of farmers and others who have sued the company. U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria will spend a week hearing from experts to help decide whether there is valid scientiÂ“c evidence to support the lawsuitsÂ claim that exposure to Roundup can cause non-HodgkinÂs lymphoma. Chhabria is presiding over more than 300 lawsuits against Monsanto Co. by cancer victims and their families who say the company long knew about RoundupÂs cancer risk but failed to warn them. The plaintiffs must Â“rst persuade Chhabria, however, that he should allow their epidemiologists and other doctors to testify to a jury that Roundup can cause cancer. Many regulators have rejected the link, and Monsanto vehemently denies it and says hundreds of studies have found glyphosate Â„ RoundupÂs active ingredient Â„ is safe. The plantiffsÂ Â“rst witness was Beate Ritz, an epidemiologist at the University of California, Los Angeles who studies the effects of pesticide exposure. She explained some of the studies she relied on for her conclusion that there is a higher risk of non-HodgkinÂs lymphoma for people exposed to glyphosate-based formulations. Chhabria will not determine if the cancer connection exists, but whether the claim has been tested, reviewed and published and is widely accepted in the scientiÂ“c community. ÂItÂs game over for the plaintiffs if they canÂt get over this hurdle,ÂŽ said David Levine, an expert in federal court procedure at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. Monsanto developed glyphosate in the 1970s, and the weed killer is now sold in more than 160 countries. Farmers in California use it on more than 200 types of crops. Homeowners use it to keep their lawns and gardens pristine. St. Louis-based Monsanto also sells seeds genetically modiÂ“ed to produce crops that can tolerate being sprayed with glyphosate as the surrounding weeds die. But the herbicide came under increasing scrutiny after the International Agency for Research on Cancer, based in Lyon, France Â„ part of the World Health Organization Â„ classiÂ“ed it as a Âprobable human carcinogenÂŽ in 2015. A Â”urry of lawsuits against Monsanto in federal and states courts followed, and California added glyphosate to its list of chemicals known to cause cancer. Christine Sheppard, among those suing Monsanto, said she sprayed Roundup for years to control weeds on her Hawaii coffee farm. In 2003, she was diagnosed with non-HodgkinÂs lymphoma and given six months to live. Now 68, she is in remission but experiences severe pain in her hands and legs from her cancer treatment and has a weak immune system. She believes Roundup is to blame. ÂThe thing that really gets to me right now is when I walk into Home Depot and places like that and see Roundup still for sale, still advertised as the best thing people can use,ÂŽ said Sheppard, who now lives near San Diego. Monsanto has attacked the international research agencyÂs opinion as an outlier. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says glyphosate is safe for humans when used in accordance with label directions. A draft report by the agency last year concluded the herbicide is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans. The report noted science reviews by numerous other countries as well as a 2017 National Institute of Health survey had reached the same conclusion.Cancer claim for MonsantoÂs Roundup gets judgeÂs scrutinyBy SUDHIN THANAWALAASSOCIATED PRESS

PAGE 35

UNANIMOUS NO. 1The Virginia Cavaliers earned all 65 Â“ rst-place votes in MondayÂs AP poll after Â“ nishing four games ahead of the Â“ eld in the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season race. Page 4 Tuesday, March 6, 2018 SPORTS www.yoursun.com www.Facebook.com/SuncoastSports Â€ @SunCoastSportsINDEX | Lottery 2 | Auto Racing 3 | College Basketball 4 | Scoreboard 5 | Baseball 6 By BRYAN LEVINESports WriterPORT CHARLOTTE Â„ ItÂs not unusual in high school baseball for a teamÂs best pitcher to also be the best hitter. But Brendan McKay is not usual. While most players are forced to choose between pitching and hitting, McKay, the Tampa Bay RaysÂ No. 1 draft pick in 2017, has excelled at both all the way up to the pro level. ÂLater on in high school, a lot of schools were giving me the opportunity if I were to go to their school theyÂd let me do bothÂŽ McKay said of the first time he realized he was a special two-way talent, Monday afternoon at Charlotte Sports Park on an off day for the Rays. ÂAt that point, they have to have a lot of trust in your abilities on both sides of the ball at that point.ÂŽ The first baseman and left-handed pitcher chose the University of Louisville and he rewarded them with an incredibly-storied collegiate career. McKay racked up the accolades in his three seasons at Louisville where he had a career .328 average with 26 home runs, 132 RBI and 48 doubles to go with his 2.23 ERA in 54 appearances and 391 strikeouts over 315.1 innings pitched. He was the consensus 2017 national player of the year, a three-time winner of the John Olerud twoway player of the year, a three-time first team all-american by three different organizations and was the ACC players of the year in 2017.MLB: RaysMeet Rays prospect Brendan McKayAP FILE PHOTOLouisvilleÂs Brendan McKay bats during the teamÂs 2017 NCAA college baseball tournament super regional game against Kentucky in Louisville, Ky. SEE RAYS, 6 Associated PressPORT CHARLOTTE Â„ The Tampa Bay Rays have traded infielder Ryan Schimpf to the Atlanta Braves in for a player to be named or cash. The Rays announced the deal Monday, two days after Schimpf was designated for assignment to clear room on the 40-man roster for free agent outfielder Carlos Gomez, who signed a $4 million, one-year contract. The 29-year-old Schimpf began last season as San DiegoÂs starting third baseman and batted .158 with 14 homers and 25 RBIs in 53 games. The Rays acquired him in December for a minor league prospect.MLB: RaysRays trade inÂ“ elder Schimpf to BravesBy STEVEN WINEAssociated PressCORAL GABLES Â„ The exciting but erratic Miami Hurricanes finally found something they do consistently well: win close games. Coach Jim LarranagaÂs young, No. 24-ranked Hurricanes have strung together four consecutive victories by a total of eight points, all decided on the final possession, to earn the No. 3 seeding in this weekÂs Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament in New York. Call them the Cardiac Canes. ÂWe joke around in the locker room: We keep it interesting for the fans just to keep them anxious and nervous,ÂŽ guard Dejan Vasiljevic said. ÂPoise down the stretch is an emphasis Â„ being COLLEGE BASKETBALL: MiamiCardiac Hurricanes take 4-game winning streak into ACC tourneyAP PHOTOMiamiÂs JaÂQuan Newton (0) shoots the game-winning shot as time expires while North CarolinaÂs Joel Berry II (2) defends during a game in Chapel Hill, N.C. Miami won 91-88. Schimpf SEE MIAMI, 4AP FILE PHOTOBill Haas hits from the sand during the final round of the Dean & DeLuca Invitational golf tournament at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. Haas returns to golf this week for the first time since he was the passenger in a car accident that killed the driver in Los Angeles. By DOUG FERGUSONAssociated PressBill Haas returns to golf this week knowing the Valspar Championship will be unlike any of the previous 347 times he has played on the PGA Tour. The deep bruise on his left leg and the soreness in his right ankle have subsided. Still tender are memories of a friend, Mark Gibello, who was killed Feb. 13 on a winding road outside Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles when his Ferrari clipped another car and slammed into a pole. Haas was the passenger. ÂThereÂs not many templates to go by on something like this,ÂŽ Haas said in his first interview since the accident. ÂI was in a state of shock, disbelief. It was a tragic event, traumatic. IÂm still unsure how to handle it. I keep going back to focusing on the Gibello family.ÂŽ He described the Gibellos as mutual friends he planned to stay with during the Genesis Open. Haas and Gibello played golf the previous weekend at Los Angeles Country Club, where Gibello was a member and played a role in the club hosting the Walker Cup last year. Gibello was a close friend of Bill Harmon, the swing coach who works with Haas. ÂIt didnÂt take me long to realize how much his family loved him, how nice he was to me and my family,ÂŽ Haas said. His wife, Julie, has kept in touch with GibelloÂs wife. The funeral service in Santa Monica, California, was Friday, the same day the final field was set for the Valspar Championship in Florida. Tiger Woods is playing for the first time. So is Rory McIlroy. That figures to deflect plenty of attention from Haas trying to get back to work.GOLF: Bill HaasShaken, grieving Haas back at golf after friendÂs death SEE HAAS, 3AP PHOTOSFlorida head coach Mike White yells to his players in the first half of a game against Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn. By MARK LONGAssociated PressGAINESVILLE Â„ Florida coach Mike White has a forbidden phrase for his staff, a rule implemented just a few weeks ago. No one is allowed to say ÂPK80ÂŽ in front of the team. The late-November tournament in Portland, Oregon, the Phil Knight Invitational, a 16-team tourney that celebrated the Nike co-founderÂs 80th birthday is banned in scouting breakdowns, video sessions and practices. ItÂs the coaching equivalent of a backcourt turnover that leads to an easy basket.COLLEGE BASKETBALL: FloridaTIMELY TURNAROUNDAfter 11 losses, No. 23 Gators Â“ nd way before postseasonFlorida guard Egor Koulechov (4) dribbles the ball against Kentucky guard Quade Green (0) during the second half Saturday in Gainesville. SEE FLORIDA, 4

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Associated PressUNCASVILLE, Conn. Â„ Azura Stevens scored 21 points and pulled down 13 rebounds to lead topranked UConn to a 75-21 rout of Cincinnati in the semifinals of the American Athletic Conference Tournament on Monday night. Napheesa Collier added 13 points for the Huskies (31-0), who have now won 100 games against AAC opponents without a loss since the league began play in 2013. UConn led from the start and used a 38-0 run that stretched from the first q uarter into the third to put the game away. Andeija Puckett had five points for Cincinnati, which fell to 19-12. The Huskies played without All-American forward Gabby Williams, who tweaked a longstanding hip injury in the HuskiesÂ quarterfinal win over Tulane. They didnÂt need her. No. 19 SOUTH FLORIDA 74, UCF 59: Kitija Laksa scored 20 points and Laura Ferreira added 17 to lead South Florida to a win over rival UCF in the semiÂ“ nals of the American Athletic Conference Tournament. Maria Jespersen chipped in with 12 for the Bulls (26-6), who advanced to the conference Â“ nal for the fourth straight season. Their three previous trips have ended in losses to UConn, which the the Bulls will face in the Â“ nals. Zakiya Saunders had 20 points to lead UCF (21-10). No. 22 GREEN BAY 66, YOUNGSTOWN STATE 45: Jessica Lindstrom scored 17 points and set a program Division I record with 1,000 career rebounds and Green Bay reached the Horizon League championship game for the eighth-straight season with a victory over Youngstown State. Youngstown State led by two points at the break but Karly Murphy scored six straight points to cap a second-half opening 8-0 run for Green Bay. After YSU scored its Â“ rst basket of the second half at the 3:31 mark, Lindstrom opened and closed a 13-2 run with 3-pointers to make it 47-33 entering the fourth quarter. A 7-0 run to start the Â“ nal frame made it a 21-point lead. Allie Leclaire added 16 points, Jen Wellnitz, the leagueÂs defensive player of the year, chipped in a season-high 14 points for top-seeded Green Bay (28-3). Sarah Cash led No. 5 seed Youngstown State (16-15) with 12 points to become YSUÂs 20th member of the 1,000-point club. Page 2 SP www.yoursun.com Tuesday, March 6, 2018 / The SunFlorida Lottery www.flalottery.comPICK 2Mar. 5N ..............................3-8 Mar. 5D ..............................7-0 Mar. 4N ..............................9-0 Mar. 4D ..............................8-8 Mar. 3N ..............................5-5 Mar. 3D ..............................1-2 D-Day, N-NightPICK 3Mar. 5N ..........................5-4-5 Mar. 5D ..........................8-7-4 Mar. 4N ..........................9-7-0 Mar. 4D ..........................2-1-7 Mar. 3N ..........................1-6-3 Mar. 3D ..........................5-3-7 D-Day, N-NightPICK 4Mar. 5N .......................9-9-7-0 Mar. 5D .......................7-5-3-8 Mar. 4N .......................5-6-1-3 Mar. 4D .......................4-1-0-8 Mar. 3N .......................5-7-5-7 Mar. 3D .......................6-2-9-0 D-Day, N-NightPICK 5Mar. 5N ....................9-1-9-3-8 Mar. 5D ....................6-4-2-1-0 Mar. 4N ....................4-4-8-9-2 Mar. 4D ....................4-2-8-9-3 Mar. 3N ....................9-5-0-9-3 Mar. 3D ....................9-6-7-5-6 D-Day, N-NightFANTASY 5Mar. 5 ............................ LATE Mar. 4 .............. 4-12-16-26-36 Mar. 3 ............ 12-20-22-34-35 Â€ Â€ Â€ PAYOFF FOR Mar. 4 1.5-digit winners $195,122.99 289...4-digit winners $108.50 8,433...3-digit winners $10.00CASH FOR LIFEMar. 5 .............. 1-47-52-54-58 Cash Ball ............................. 2 Mar. 1 ...................5-6-7-12-36 Cash Ball ............................. 2 Â€ Â€ Â€ PAYOFF FOR Mar. 5 0......5-of-5 CB ......$1,000/Day 0......5-of-5.........$1,000/Week 4......4-of-5 CB ..............$2,500 8......4-of-5.......................$500LUCKY MONEYMar. 2 ................... 2-13-26-47 Lucky Ball ............................ 3 Feb. 27 .................. 3-20-34-38 Lucky Ball ............................ 9 Â€ Â€ Â€ PAYOFF FOR Mar. 2 0........4-of-4 LB ........$650,000 5........4-of-4.............$1,084.00 42......3-of-4 LB ..........$282.50 544....3-of-4 ..................$64.00LOTTOMar. 3 ......... 1-16-18-32-40-48 Feb. 28 ........... 1-7-9-10-21-48 Â€ Â€ Â€ PAYOFF FOR Mar. 3 0...6-digit winners $5 million 26...5-digit winners $4,008.00 1,335...4-digit winners $60.50POWERBALLMar. 3 ............ 13-17-25-36-40 Powerball ............................ 5 Feb. 28 ........... 12-30-59-65-69 Powerball .......................... 16 Â€ Â€ Â€ PAYOFF FOR Mar. 3 0.....5 of 5 + PB ..$321 Million 0.....5 of 5 ...............$1 million 6.....4 of 5 + PB ..........$50,000 72...4 of 5 ........................$100 ESTIMATED JACKPOT $348 millionMEGA MILLIONSMar. 2 ............ 24-28-42-60-64 Mega Ball ............................ 8 Feb. 27 ........... 10-17-21-38-43 Mega Ball .......................... 23 Â€ Â€ Â€ PAYOFF FOR Mar. 2 0...5 of 5 + MB ...$243 Million 0...5 of 5 .................$1 Million 2.....4 of 5 + MB .........$10,000 14...4 of 5 ........................$500 ESTIMATED JACKPOT $265 million (All times Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts COLLEGE BASKETBALL Noon ESPN2 Â„ ACC Tournament, Â“ rst round, at Brooklyn, N.Y. 2 p.m. ESPN2 Â„ ACC Tournament, Â“ rst round, team TBA vs. Pittsburgh, at Brooklyn, N.Y. 7 p.m. CBSSN Â„ CAA Tournament, Â“ nal, at North Charleston, S.C. ESPN Â„ Horizon League Tournament, Â“ nal, at Detroit ESPN2 Â„ Northeast Conference Tournament, Â“ nal, at higher-seeded school ESPNU Â„ ACC Tournament, Â“ rst round, at Brooklyn, N.Y. 9 p.m. ESPN Â„ West Coast Tournament, Â“ nal, at Las Vegas ESPN2 Â„ Summit League Tournament, Â“ nal, at Sioux Falls, S.D. MLB BASEBALL 1 p.m. MLB Â„ Spring training, Houston (ss) vs. N.Y. Mets, at Port St. Lucie, Fla. 8:30 p.m. MLB Â„ Spring training, Colorado vs. Seattle, at Peoria, Ariz. NBA BASKETBALL 8 p.m. TNT Â„ Houston at Oklahoma City 10:30 p.m. TNT Â„ New Orleans at L.A. Clippers NHL HOCKEY 7 p.m. NBCSN Â„ Detroit at Boston 10 p.m. NBCSN Â„ Washington at Anaheim SOCCER 2:30 p.m. FS1 Â„ UEFA Champions League, Round of 16, 2nd Leg, Paris Saint-Germain vs. Real Madrid FS2 Â„ UEFA Champions League, Round of 16, 2nd Leg, Liverpool vs. Porto WOMENÂS COLLEGE BASKETBALL Noon ESPNU Â„ Horizon League Tournament, Â“ nal, at Detroit 2 p.m. ESPNU Â„ Summit League Tournament, Â“ nal, at Sioux Falls, S.D. 4 p.m. ESPNU Â„ West Coast Tournament, Â“ nal, at Las Vegas 5 p.m. ESPN2 Â„ AAC Tournament, Â“ nal, at Uncasville, Conn. 7 p.m. FS1 Â„ Big East Tournament, Â“ nal, at Chicago SPORTS ON TV Associated PressLeBron James scored 31 points before taking a seat on the bench, Larry Nance Jr. reached career highs with 22 points and 15 rebounds in his first start for Cleveland, and the Cavaliers closed a disappointing five-game homestand on a positive note with a 112-90 win Monday night over the Detroit Pistons, who havenÂt won on the road in nearly two months. With Cleveland missing three big men Â„ All-Star Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson and Jeff Green Â„ because of injuries, the Cavs needed someone to step up and Nance came through. Wearing the same No. 22 his father had retired by Cleveland, the 25-yearold Nance had the best game of his young career. James was his usual brilliant self, making 5 of 7 3-pointers and adding seven rebounds and seven assists. With the Cavs comfortably ahead, James sat the entire fourth quarter, a rarity in this odd season. Blake Griffin scored 25 to lead Detroit, which has lost nine straight away from home. The Pistons havenÂt won on the road since Jan. 10. Andre Drummond scored 15 but didnÂt reach double-digit rebounds for the first time in 19 games. ClevelandÂs frontcourt injuries forced Cavs coach Tyronn Lue to change his starting lineup yet again. Lue moved Nance into ThompsonÂs spot and started Rodney Hood over rookie Cedi Osman, whose energy had given ClevelandÂs first unit a needed lift.PACERS 92, BUCKS 89: Bojan Bogdanovic tied his season high with 29 points and grabbed a key jump ball late to lift the Indiana Pacers over the Milwaukee Bucks. MilwaukeeÂs Khris Middleton stole Victor OladipoÂs pass with 10 seconds left and Indiana leading 90-89. He rushed to the basket, but Cory Joseph chased him down and got a hand on the basketball before Middleton could attempt a shot. The ball rolled out of bounds, and referees called a jump ball after video replay. Bogdanovic came down with the tip off the jump ball and added a pair of free throws with six seconds left. Thaddeus Young had 10 points and seven rebounds, and Oladipo Â“ nished with 14 points, Â“ ve assists and Â“ ve rebounds along with 10 turnovers. After BogdanovicÂs free throws, Milwaukee had a chance to tie it, but Giannis AntetokounmpoÂs 3-pointer from the wing hit the front of the rim as time expired. HEAT 125, SUNS 103: Hassan Whiteside had 24 points and 14 rebounds, Goran Dragic scored 17 and the Miami Heat moved into the No. 7 spot in the Eastern Conference by topping the Phoenix Suns. Whiteside had his highest-scoring game since Jan. 29, making 10 of his 13 shots. He averaged only 12.2 points on 48-percent shooting in his most recent 12 games. Kelly Olynyk scored 15 points for the Heat, who gave four of their starters Â„ Whiteside included Â„ the entire fourth quarter of f and beat the Suns for the 18th time in their last 20 meetings. Dwyane Wade, Josh Richardson, Justise Winslow and Luke Babbitt each had 12 for the Heat, which had seven players in double Â“ gures.NBA ROUNDUP LeBron, Nance power Cavaliers past PistonsAssociated PressJustin Schultz took a pass from Phil Kessel and buried it in the wide-open net 2:36 into overtime to give the Pittsburgh Penguins a 4-3 win over the Calgary Flames on Monday night. Tristan Jarry made several key stops for the Penguins early in the extra period, and SchultzÂs fourth goal of the season helped Pittsburgh improve to 10-1 in overtime at home this season. Evgeni Malkin scored his 37th goal for the Penguins and added an assist. Kris Letang and Chad Ruhwedel also scored for Pittsburgh. Jarry finished with 35 saves as the Penguins pulled within one point of Washington for first in the crowded Metropolitan Division. Mark Giordano, Mikael Backlund and Troy Brouwer scored for the Flames, who outplayed the twotime defending Stanley Cup champions for long stretches before dropping their fourth straight. Jon Gillies stopped 28 shots but had no chance when Kessel slid a cross-ice pass to a wide-open Schultz. The Penguins had dropped five straight to the Flames, including a 2-1 overtime loss in Calgary in November. They Penguins have turned it around in the interim and wasted little time sprinting to a 2-0 lead. Ruhwedel collected his first goal since Dec. 18 on a knuckler from the point 2:10 into the game, and Malkin doubled PittsburghÂs advantage 55 seconds later when teammate Bryan Rust forced a turnover by Gillies behind the Calgary net. Malkin collected the puck and flipped it across the goal line before Gillies could scramble back into position. The Flames, in the middle of their own fight to stay in the Western Conference playoff mix, responded immediately. Giordano took advantage of extended zone time by sending a puck through traffic by Jarry 6:14 into the first, and BacklundÂs 13th of the season came at the end of a gorgeous sequence in which he deked Penguins star defenseman Kris Letang and walked to the net before flipping a backhand by the sprawled Jarry. Letang atoned eventually with a wrist shot off the rush from the right circle that ripped over GilliesÂ right shoulder with 2:59 left in regulation. Calgary responded again, with T.J. Brodie slipping a pass between RuhwedelÂs legs to BrouwerÂs awaiting stick. Brouwer had no trouble sending it by Jarry to tie it with 2 seconds left in the period.NHL ROUNDUPJustin SchultzÂs overtime goal lifts Penguins over FlamesAP PHOTOPittsburgh PenguinsÂ Justin Schultz (4) makes the winning goal in the overtime period of an NHL game past Calgary Flames goaltender Jon Gillies (32) with Mikael Backlund (11) defending Monday in Pittsburgh. AP PHOTOCleveland CavaliersÂ LeBron James, right, drives against Detroit PistonsÂ Blake Griffin in the first half Monday in Cleveland. AP PHOTOConnecticutÂs Azura Stevens, right, is hit by CincinnatiÂs Shanice Johnson while driving to the basket during the first half of a gam e in the American Athletic Conference tournament semifinals at Mohegan Sun Arena Monday in Uncasville, Conn. WOMENÂS COLLEGE BASKETBALL ROUNDUP Stevens leads top-ranked UConn to a 75-21 rout of Cincinnati

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By JENNA FRYERAssociated PressKevin Harvick once lay in wait for Greg Biffle on the pit road wall at Bristol Motor Speedway. Harvick was angry Â„ he always seemed to be angry in the early days of his NASCAR career Â„ and he was going to make sure Biffle knew it the moment the race was over. How did Harvick send his message? He literally hurdled over BiffleÂs car into a scrum and lunged at BiffleÂs throat. The Biffle incident back in 2002 would most certainly be on HarvickÂs highlight reel. In his first two years in Cup, Harvick became the first driver to be ÂparkedÂŽ by NASCAR for aggressive driving and he once tried to fight Ricky Rudd, usually considered a losing proposition. HarvickÂs nickname has always been ÂHappyÂŽ and he was anything but in those early days. He said after the 2002 parking Â„ for intentionally wrecking Coy Gibbs in a Truck Series race at Martinsville and generally being a thorn in NASCARÂs side Â„ that it was the wakeup call the 25-year-old needed. ÂI havenÂt been racing since I was 5 years old and made it this far in my career to throw it all away now,ÂŽ Harvick said then. ÂHaving to miss the race in Martinsville definitely got my attention.ÂŽ OK, so it hasnÂt been exactly smooth sailing since that wakeup call. But here Harvick is now, 100 NASCAR national wins later, and one of the most consistent drivers of his era. Harvick doesnÂt have the statistics to show just how exceptional a race car driver he is in part because he came along at the same time as another Californian. Jimmie Johnson, with a laid-back Southern California persona, debuted a year after Harvick and has collected seven championships along the way. Harvick has so far managed just one championship. But heÂs a Daytona 500 winner, a two-time Coca-Cola 600 winner, a Southern 500 winner and a Brickyard 400 winner. ThatÂs a Hall of Fame career right there, and one many might not have seen coming when he was thrust into a miserable situation at what should have been the best time of his life. Harvick was on schedule to drive a Cup car for Richard Childress in 2002, but when Dale Earnhardt was killed on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500, that plan was scrapped. Harvick got EarnhardtÂs ride the next week, went forward with his scheduled Las Vegas wedding the week after that, and won his first Cup race the week after that. It was a whirlwind three weeks for the 24-year-old from Bakersfield, California, and when he had to time to take a breath, there was a lot going on. Maybe thatÂs why he snapped so easily back then. And although some of that went away, he never really changed who he was. Harvick continued to stir the pot in the garage, spoke his mind even when he didnÂt have anything nice to say, and never lacked for confidence. It was just over three years ago when Harvick, locked into the championship battle, shoved Brad Keselowski from behind to trigger a melee between Keselowski and Jeff Gordon. The Sun / Tuesday, March 6, 2018 www.yoursun.com SP Page 3 AP PHOTOKevin Harvick hoists the trophy with his team after winning Sunday in Las Vegas. COMMENTARY: NASCARHarvick takes bumpy road to 100 victories The 35-year-old Haas returns with a greater appreciation of life and a level of support he never realized he had. His golf bag remained in the Riviera locker room for the rest of the Genesis Open until it was shipped home to him in South Carolina. Haas hasnÂt practiced much. He played golf Sunday in Greenville and planned to leave Monday night for the Valspar Championship in Palm Harbor, Florida. ÂThe amount of love and support and outreach I got from my peers and friends has been amazing,ÂŽ he said. ÂAt the same time, a friend of mine is not here anymore. ... ThereÂs just no real way to explain life, why it happens and how it happens. You canÂt take tomorrow for granted. You have to enjoy today and prepare for tomorrow. All that said, I still feel like I have to go compete. I canÂt just say golf doesnÂt matter. ThatÂs what I do. I think thatÂs what Mark would want. ÂHe was a golf fan. He loved golf. He would want me to care about how I play.ÂŽHAASFrom Page 1By DOUG FERGUSONAssociated PressMEXICO CITY Â„ Phil Mickelson knew this was coming, even when he had so little to show for it. Mickelson had gone 101 tournaments around the world since he last won at Muirfield in the 2013 British Open, which moved him to No. 2 in the world and gave him the third leg of the career Grand Slam. In more than two decades on the PGA Tour, he had gone only two seasons without winning. And then it was up to four straight years and counting. There was more frustration than self-doubt. And with Mickelson, even at age 47, there was never a loss of confidence. ÂI knew that wasnÂt going to be my last one, no,ÂŽ he said Sunday. ÂAnd this isnÂt either.ÂŽ The most recent one came in the high altitude of the Mexico Championship, and it was another pulsating performance, as often is the case with Mickelson. Five birdies in the opening 10 holes gave him the lead. Right when he was on the verge of taking control, he went for the green on the par-5 11th hole only for the shot to carom off a tree and into the bushes near the edge of Chapultepec Golf Club. Deep in the bushes, he blasted out and hit the crowd. He wound up making bogey. Then came another wild drive that bounced along the cart path, forcing him to scramble for par. Three groups ahead of him, Justin Thomas delivered the shot of the tournament. Eleven shots behind going into the weekend and suddenly tied for the lead, Thomas holed out from 119 yards on the final hole for eagle to cap off a 62-64 weekend as he went for his second straight victory.GOLF: Mexico ChampionshipPhil Mickelson a winner again and wants moreAP PHOTOPhil Mickelson, of the U.S., tees off on the 2nd hole during the final round of the Mexico Championship Sunday at Chapultepec Golf Club in Mexico City.

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Page 4 SP www.yoursun.com Tuesday, March 6, 2018 / The SunWOMENÂS COLLEGE BASKETBALL: AP PollBy AARON BEARDAssociated PressRALEIGH, N.C. Â„ Virginia is now the unquestioned No. 1 in the AP Top 25. The Cavaliers earned all 65 first-place votes in MondayÂs poll after finishing four games ahead of the field in the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season race. This was VirginiaÂs fourth straight week at No. 1, with the Cavaliers acquiring more first-place votes each time until claiming them all this week. Virginia joined fellow ACC team Duke as teams to be unanimous No. 1 in the AP Top 25 this season. Pretty good for a team that was picked to finish sixth in the ACC during the preseason. The Cavaliers (28-2, 17-1 ACC) open ACC Tournament play in ThursdayÂs quarterfinals in Brooklyn with a chance to sweep the league regular-season and tournament titles for the second time in five seasons. ÂNow you are in oneand-done tournament play Â„ the ACC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament,ÂŽ coach Tony Bennett said after SaturdayÂs win against Notre Dame. ÂYou continue on, but you understand that it is quality play,ÂŽ he said. ÂYou do not change who you are, but you know that if you drop one, you are out.ÂŽBIG EAST SHUFFLEWith Michigan StateÂs stumble in the Big Ten Tournament, it looked like Xavier was set to move up a spot to No. 2 behind Virginia after winning the Big East regular-season race outright. Instead, Villanova Â„ which beat the Musketeers this season by 24 and 16 points but finished a game back in the Big East standings Â„ hopped over Xavier from No. 4 while Xavier remained third.TOP-10 CHANGESMichigan State fell to fourth, followed by Duke, Gonzaga and Michigan Â„ which jumped eight spots to No. 7 after beating the Spartans and Purdue to win a second straight Big Ten Tournament title The Wolverines have won nine straight games and own their highest AP Top 25 ranking since hitting No. 7 in the final poll of the 2013-14 season.TOP RISERSThe Wolve rines had the biggest climb of the week by far, with most rising teams inching up a spot or two. No. 15 Arizona Â„ which won the Pac-12 regular-season title outright Â„ and No. 21 Houston had the second-biggest climbs with each rising four spots.LONGEST SLIDESThe weekÂs biggest fall belonged to Rhode Island. The Rams fell eight spots to No. 25 after a 30-point home loss to St. JosephÂs followed by a loss at Davidson in which they allowed a 9-0 game-closing run. No. 17 Ohio State fell four spots after an early loss at the Big Ten Tournament, while No. 9 Kansas and No. 12 North Carolina Â„ which lost on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer at home to Miami and then at rival Duke Â„ each fell three spots.NEWCOMERSThe two newcomers to the poll, Florida and Miami, have been ranked multiple times this season. The 23rd-ranked Gators were No. 8 in the preseason and hit No. 5 in early December, then fell out two weeks later, re-entered for two weeks in January and then slid back out. ItÂs been a similar wild ride for the 24thranked Hurricanes. They started the year at No. 13 and peaked at No. 6 in December, though they slid out by January, re-entered for a week in February and then fell out again.SLIDING OUTKentucky and Middle Tennessee fell out of the poll, and that continued the WildcatsÂ unusually volatile poll standing this season. Kentucky, who sat at 23rd last week, was No. 5 in the preseason poll before falling out for the first time in roughly four years in January. But after SaturdayÂs loss at Florida the Wildcats fell out for the third time this season. The Blue Raiders entered the poll for the first time in their history on Feb. 19, but fell out from No. 24 after losing their regular-season finale at home to Marshall on Saturday.COLLEGE BASKETBALL: AP PollVirginia is unanimous No. 1; Michigan up to 7thAP PHOTOVirginia head coach Tony Bennett, right, applauds his team as they celebrate their 62-57 win over Notre Dame Saturday in Charlottesville, Va. AP PHOTOConnecticut head coach Geno Auriemma and associate head coach Chris Dailey look at an official during the American Athletic Conference tournament quarterfinals Sunday in Uncasville, Conn. Associated PressNEW YORK Â„ UConn extends its run at No. 1 in The Associated Press womenÂs basketball poll. The Huskies (30-0) have been the unanimous top choice all season from the 32-member media panel. They are in the semifinals of the American Athletic Conference tournament Monday night. The Huskies are 99-0 against AAC opponents since the formation of the conference, 86-0 in regular-season games and 13-0 in the conference tournaments. Baylor moved up to second and Louisville third after then-No. 2 Mississippi State lost to South Carolina in the SEC title game. The Bulldogs slipped to fourth. Notre Dame was fifth. Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, UCLA and Ohio State round out the top 10. Most of the major conferences finished their tournaments this weekend with just the Big 12 title game Monday night featuring Baylor and Texas.UConn still top team in AP womenÂs poll ÂAll the noise that our guys hear is, ÂWell, you guys were so good then,ÂÂŽ White said, referring to the lateNovember tournament in Portland, Oregon, that helped vault the Gators to No. 5 in The Associated PressÂ college basketball poll. ÂWe were horrific defensively. ÂWe were playing really, really fast and we were getting open looks, and thatÂs before people started grinding that thing out against us. We looked a little bit different. All the reminders that our guys get, all the exterior noise about, ÂPK80 this, PK80 that,Â I didnÂt think it was healthy for our guys to continue to hear that. LetÂs just focus on today. LetÂs focus on getting better.ÂŽ WhiteÂs new directive coincided with the start of a significant turnaround for the 23rdranked Gators (20-11, 11-7 Southeastern Conference), who are back in the poll after winning three in a row. Florida is playing its best basketball of the season heading into the SEC Tournament in St. Louis. WhiteÂs team beat then-No. 12 Auburn thumped Alabama on the road and handled thenNo. 23 Kentucky in the regular-season finale. Those victories helped the Gators earn the No. 3 seed in the 14-team tournament. Florida will play Arkansas, South Carolina or Mississippi in the quarterfinals Friday night. ÂWeÂve just got to stay in this groove, said guard Jalen Hudson, who was named co-SEC player of the week Monday. ÂWeÂve got a good thing going.ÂŽ Just in time for postseason play, too. ÂGreat timing,ÂŽ Hudson added. ÂCouldnÂt have been better.ÂŽ The Gators thought they had it all figured out in Portland. They scored 108 and 111 on consecutive nights in wins against Stanford and Gonzaga, respectively, and then had a 17-point lead against then-No. 1 Duke in the second of two title g ames durin g the PK80 tournament. Florida blew that big lead to the Blue Devils, but still rose in the rankings. White cautioned anyone who would listen that his team wasnÂt playing the kind of defense needed to sustain success and overcome a poor shooting performance. It came to light the next week when the Gators lost consecutive home games to Florida State and Loyola Chicago. That started an upand-down trend for a team that featured several newcomers, led by Hudson and fellow guard Egor Koulechov. Florida reached a low point last month when it dropped six of eight in league play. One positive was noticeable during the slump: The Gators were considerably better on the defensive end. They finished with secondbest defensive efficiency rating in SEC play. That combined with an offensive resurgence Â„ Florida has made 30 3-pointers in the last three games Â„ has the team peaking at the right time. ÂWe finally found our roles and embraced them,ÂŽ senior point guard Chris Chiozza said. ÂWeÂre just doing a good job of playing harder than we were and playing defense the whole game. If we canÂt score, weÂre not going to let the other team score either.ÂŽFLORIDAFrom Page 1able to make big shots and big plays and be calm. Our team has showed a lot of heart.ÂŽ The margins of victory in the past two weeks have been three points, one, three and one. With four wins in a row by less than four points, the Hurricanes (22-8, 11-7 ACC) tied a 61-year-old league record, and itÂs a first for the school. Last week Miami won 91-88 at then-No. 9 North Carolina on JaÂQuan NewtonÂs desperation buzzer-beater from near midcourt, and beat Virginia Tech 69-68 when Chris Lykes sank the front end of a one and one with three seconds to go. The last ACC team to win four in a row by less than four points was Duke in 1984. Larranaga, in his 46th year of coaching, said he has never experienced such a run. ÂConfidence is a huge part of success Â„ believing in yourself,ÂŽ he said. ÂOur guys have developed a lot of confidence in themselves and their teammates.ÂŽ The succession of heart-stoppers comes at the end of a rollercoaster regular season. The Hurricanes climbed to sixth in the rankings before Christmas but fell out of the Top 25 after losing four times in a seven-game stretch. Perimeter shooting, free throws, rebounding, turnovers and offensive execution against the zone have all been issues. Miami lost twice at home in February, and was beaten by three teams that finished in the ACCÂs second division. The Hurricanes had to adjust to the loss of star guard Bruce Brown Jr., sidelined by a foot injury since late January. But theyÂve now won seven of 10 without Brown, who could receive medical clearance next week to return. ÂWeÂve missed him,ÂŽ Larranaga said. ÂBut it gave other players an opportunity to step up.ÂŽ That includes freshman guard Lonnie Walker IV, projected as a possible NBA lottery pick in June. He has averaged 15.1 points over the past 15 games, including several memorable baskets at crunch time.MIAMIFrom Page 1 By RALPH D. RUSSOAssociated PressNEW YORK Â„ Veteran play-by-play announcer Verne Lundquist will not be calling NCAA Tournament basketball games this year. CBS and Turner Sports announced the commentator teams Monday for the menÂs basketball tournament, which starts next week. Jim Nantz, Bill Raftery and Grant Hill will continue to announce the Final Four and championship game. Those games, along with the tournament selection show on Sunday, will be televised on TBS. Lundquist, 77, has been calling tournament games for CBS since 1998. He stopped calling the Southeastern Conference football game of the week on CBS after the 2016 season, but still did the NCAA Tournament and Masters golf in 2017. CBS spokeswoman Jennifer Sabatelle said Lundquist had back surgery last fall and decided to step away from doing this yearÂs tournament.COLLEGE BASKETBALL: BroadcastingLundquist, 77, steps away from calling NCAA tourney games AP PHOTOFlorida guard Chris Chiozza (11) acknowledges the c rowd as he leaves the game in the final minute of a game against Kentucky Saturday in Gainesville.

ÂIn college, Brendan was something the Draft hadnÂt seen in a while, a top-of-the-Draft prospect as a hitter and as a pitcher,ÂŽ Rays senior vice president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom told MLB.com. ÂComing into pro ball, we didnÂt want to limit him. We see him as a really interesting prospect on both sides of the ball. We donÂt want to place artificial limits on him over time; the game will tell us what he can do. We didnÂt think it was fair to place any limits on what he might be able to accom p lish, based on what heÂs been able to do thus far.ÂŽ After being drafted in June, the 22-year-old played 21 games at first base for the Hudson Valley Renegades in the New York Â… Penn League. Though he hit just .232 in 125 at-bats, he shows signed of power with four home runs, four doubles and also drew 21 walks. On the mound, he had a 1.80 ERA in 20 innings with 21 strikeouts and 10 hits allowed. McKay will almost certainly spend some time with the Charlotte Stone Crabs this season, whether he begins the year with them or eventually gets called up from Low-A Bowlin g Green. He recognizes that at some point he might have to choose between pitching and hitting, but he isnÂt ready for that to happen just yet. ÂThat would be a tough (decision to make),ÂŽ McKay said. ÂBeing so fresh into you, you want to keep doing it and see how it works out and see if you can take it to another level. Âƒ It could be two or three years away, or further than that.ÂŽ Although, he might not have to. The Los Angeles Angels recently acquired Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani, who has appeared in two games as a hitter and one as a pitcher so far this spring training. McKay looks to Ohtani as someone paving the path for him, and McKay would like to do the same for others. ÂIÂm curious to see how it works out. HeÂs doing it at a (higher) level, so that can give a lot more insight to other teams,ÂŽ McKay said of Ohtani. ÂI hope it inspires a lot more guys who are coming up to want to do both and not just specialize in (one area).ÂŽ If thatÂs the case, his unusual skill set might just become the usual by the time his career is wra pp ed u p Page 6 SP www.yoursun.com Tuesday, March 6, 2018 / The SunMLB: CubsRAYSFrom Page 1SPRING TRAINING ROUNDUP Associated PressAROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUESASTROS 5, MARLINS 3: Houston ace Dallas Keuchel was pulled in the second inning after giving up four hits. Lance McCullers worked 2 2/3 innings in relief, allowing a hit and walking two. Miami starter Dillon Peters gave up one run in 1 1/3 innings. PHILLIES 4, TWINS 3: Minnesota starter Kyle Gibson worked three innings and gave up two hits, including a home run by Rhys Hoskins. Mark Leiter Jr. threw three clean innings in relief for Philadelphia, striking out a pair. BRAVES 7, PIRATES 5: Atlanta starter Brandon McCarthy went 3 2/3 innings and the lone run he permitted came on a homer by Starling Marte. Danny Santana homered and had four hits for Atlanta. Chad Kuhl had a shaky start for Pittsburgh, giving up Â“ ve hits and two walks in 2 1/3 innings. CARDINALS 2, NATIONALS 1: Tanner Roark pitched four shutout innings for Washington, allowing one hit. Joaquin Benoit followed and had a rough outing, giving up two doubles and a single in one inning. Andrew Stevenson, a second-round pick by the Nationals in 2015 out of LSU, homered off starter Luke Weaver, who permitted three hits over three innings and struck out four. METS 4, TIGERS 2: New York starter Matt Harvey threw three shutout innings, allowing two hits. Brandon Nimmo hit a leadoff home run, his second of the spring. Detroit starter Mike Fiers worked 2 1/3 innings, giving up two runs and two hits. Derek Norris doubled and singled, raising his batting average this spring to .556. ANGELS 7, REDS 5: Cincinnati center Â“ elder Billy Hamilton sprinted to make a diving, backhanded catch in the gap to rob Shohei Ohtani of an extra-base hit. Ohtani went 0 for 3 as the AngelsÂ DH and is batting .143. WHITE SOX 9, ATHLETICS 9, 9 INNINGS: Yoan Moncada got two hits and scored three runs for Chicago. Joakim Soria pitched a scoreless inning. Jed Lowrie homered for Oakland. AÂs reliever Santiago Casilla gave up Â“ ve runs and got just two outs. DODGERS 8, INDIANS 1: Rich Hill worked three innings of one-hit ball in the start, striking out four. Matt Kemp hit his third spring home run for Los Angeles and Yasmani Grandal hit his second. Yonder Alonso doubled twice for Cleveland. Andrew Miller threw a hitless inning of relief. RANGERS 5, GIANTS 4: Matt Moore, a cquired by the Rangers in a January trade with the Giants, gave up one hit in 2 2/3 innings against his former team. Adrian Beltre doubled and singled in his Â“ rst two at-bats this spring. San Francisco starter Ty Blach worked 3 1/3 innings for the Giants, scattering Â“ ve hits and allowing a run. Austin Jackson had a hit, walked and drove in a run.AP FILE PHOTOLouisville pitcher Brendan McKay th rows against UC Santa Barbara during a 2017 super regional game in Louisville Ky. By CHUCK KINGAssociated PressJUPITERÂ„ Less than a year after making his big league debut, Paul DeJong was rewarded with a long-term deal. The shortstop Paul DeJong and the St. Louis Cardinals agreed Monday to a $26 million, six-year contract, a deal that includes team options for 2024 and 2025. ÂIt gives me a sense of security, just knowing that IÂm going to be here and kind of just confirms my thoughts about wanting to be a Cardinal for my life,ÂŽ DeJong said. ÂTo me to be able to sign a potentially eight year deal just seems like IÂm cementing myself in the Cardinals organization. I donÂt ever want to leave.ÂŽ The 24-year-old made his major league debut last May 28 and hit .285 with a team-high 25 homers and 65 RBIs in 108 games. He was selected by St. Louis from Illinois St. in the fourth round of the 2015 amateur draft. DeJong, who hugged his parents and grandparents before the news conference, played only 246 minor league games. Batting most third, he hit .298 with eight homers in July. ÂAs you know, weÂre committed to winning at the major league level through scouting and player development, and Paul is a great example of this,ÂŽ owner Bill DeWitt Jr. said. DeJongÂs deal covers up to four years of arbitration eligibility and the options cover up to two years of free agent eligibility. St. Louis started nine different shortstops over the past 10 opening days, including Pete Kozma (2013), Rafael Furcal (2012), Ryan Theroit (2011) and Khalil Greene 2009. ÂMy time with the Cardinals, weÂve always been searching for that shortstop,ÂŽ said John Mozeliak, who has headed the teamÂs baseball operations for 11 years. ÂThis does give us the level of comfort that we have signed someone that we know can play there for a long time.ÂŽ DeJong is 3 for 14 with a double and two RBIs so far this spring training. ÂIÂm just really happy about how this is working out and really excited to play Cardinals baseball long term,ÂŽ DeJong said. Notes: St. Louis renewed the contract of OF Tommy Pham and agreed to one-year deals with the remainder of its players lacking the necessary service time for arbitration.MLB: CardinalsPaul DeJong, Cardinals agree t o $26 million, 6-year contractAP FILE PHOTOPaul DeJong and the Cardinals agreed to a $26 million, six-year contract on Monday. AP FILE PHOTODetroit Tigers reliever Justin Wilson winds up for a pitch agains the Boston Red Sox during the ninth inning of a 2017 game, in Boston. By JAY COHENAssociated PressMESA, Ariz. Â„ For all the talk about the Chicago CubsÂ new-look bullpen, the biggest key to its success might be the return of Justin Wilson. Not the Justin Wilson who struggled for the last couple months of last season. The one who pitched for the Detroit Tigers. If Wilson finds his form, he would give manager Joe Maddon another left-handed option for high-leverage situations late in games. If Wilson struggles again, Maddon would have to employ him very carefully. ÂIt just permits us to dole out the work in a way that we should not get anybody overtly tired, so thatÂs what I look at,ÂŽ Maddon said Monday. ÂBut I mean, listen, youÂve seen good, IÂve heard good, you know, work-wise and the stuff that heÂs been doing. TheyÂre reporting back, he did something today that the guys are just raving about, so letÂs see how it plays out.ÂŽ The 30-year-old Wilson has made two appearances so far this spring training, tossing a scoreless inning against Oakland and Cincinnati with two strikeouts total. He also sounds optimistic coming off the disappointing finish to last year. ÂIÂm very excited,ÂŽ Wilson said. ÂIÂm just excited to get going. Played well so far. Good vibe around here.ÂŽ Wilson began last season with Detroit and was widely regarded as the top reliever on the trade market after he posted a 2.68 ERA with 13 saves in 42 games with the lowly Tigers. He also had 55 strikeouts and 16 walks in 40 Â‡ innings. The Cubs were picking up speed in July when they got Wilson and veteran catcher Alex Avila from the Tigers for minor league infielders Jeimer Candelario and Isaac Paredes and $250,000. An elated Wilson quickly joined his new team at Wrigley Field, but he was never quite able to establish himself with his new club. He walked two, threw a wild pitch and yielded a run-scoring double to ArizonaÂs Jake Lamb in his debut with Chicago. He had a 6.75 ERA over his first seven games after the trade. ÂA little bit of everything really,ÂŽ he said when asked what went wrong. ÂMainly it was inconsistency. That was probably the biggest thing. ... You try to change things when youÂre not going well as well. It was just a battle, kind of like an uphill battle the whole way. Just excited for a fresh start.ÂŽ Wilson showed glimpses of his potential down the stretch, but they were usually followed by some shaky outings. He had a 5.09 ERA in 23 games with the Cubs with 25 strikeouts and 19 walks in 17 Â‡ innings. Despite the tough finish, Chicago put him on the playoff roster for the first round of the playoffs and he retired the only two batters he faced against Washington. He was inactive for the NL Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the CubsÂ bullpen faltered while the defending World Series champions were eliminated in five games. WilsonÂs absence was particularly noticeable when John Lackey made a rare relief appearance in Game 2 in Los Angeles and surrendered Justin TurnerÂs tiebreaking three-run homer with two outs in the ninth. Maddon was criticized for not going to All-Star closer Wade Davis at the time, but he might have approached the situation differently had Wilson played his way on the roster. ÂJust want to feel and do what I did before I came over,ÂŽ Wilson said. The Cubs want the same thing. After the bullpen issues against Los Angeles, Chicago signed Brandon Morrow and Steve Cishek in free agency and Davis departed for a big contract with Colorado. Morrow steps in at closer and Cishek will get some of the late-inning duties, but a rejuvenated Wilson could provide a big lift.Cubs hoping Wilson can regain his formAP PHOTOSPittsburgh PiratesÂ Francisco Cervelli, left, makes the catch to force out Atlanta B ravesÂ Ozzie Albies at home on a bases-loaded infield ground ball during the fifth inning Monday in Kissimmee. Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols breaks his bat as he connects for a run-scoring single against the Cincinnati Reds Monday in Goodyear, Ariz. 2 0 1 8 0 3 0 6 s p r t 0 6 p d f 1 0 6 M a r 1 8 0 3 : 1 1 : 0 9